HC Deb 18 December 1984 vol 70 cc149-50
10. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been unemployed in Lambeth for more than six months.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

On 11 October, the latest date for which the figures are available, there were 13,162 claimants who had been unemployed for more than six months in the area covered by the Brixton, Stockwell, Streatham and West Norwood jobcentres, which corresponds closely to the London borough of Lambeth.

Mr. Fraser

Does the Minister realise that that is a catastrophic figure and comprises more than half of the unemployed in Lambeth? Is he aware that long-term unemployment is a disease that eats at the heart of that community? Why have the Government chosen this moment to close a skillcentre in Lambeth, to create redundancies by rate capping in three local authorities and to cut the housing programme? Have they taken leave of their senses?

Mr. Bottomley

On 23 November the hon. Gentleman had the opportunity to make his speech and to listen to the reply from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment. He will agree that if Lambeth has managed to double its rates per job in the past two years, it is time that rate capping was introduced to give employment in Lambeth, which is rising, a chance.

Mr. Marlow

Why is it that loony Left-wing authorities and high unemployment go together? Which is the chicken and which is the egg?

Mr. Bottomley

My hon. Friend hints at the serious point that if Lambeth and other local authorities in London want more employment they should pay more attention to the needs of employers and those who need jobs, and less to party politics that seem to be paid for by the rates.