HC Deb 25 October 1988 vol 139 cc156-7
4. Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Stockport.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Lee)

In September 1988 the number of unemployed claimants in the Stockport local authority district was 9,300—a fall of 3,000, or 24 per cent., over the last 12 months.

Mr. Favell

In Stockport, within the framework set by the Government, councils and colleges, employers and employees, commerce and industry have combined to create jobs. Are there not lessons to be learnt from that? Is it not remarkable that city councils, such as Manchester, which profess to be anxious to help the underdog should kick him when given the opportunity to help him?

Mr. Lee

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has just said, it is sad that a minority of councils have turned their backs on the unemployed and are not participating in employment training. I am glad to say that, as my hon. Friend has intimated, Stockport city council is playing a full part. It has a 500-place ET scheme, which is 95 per cent. full. I am delighted with the co-operation between the Stockport city council, education and the private sector.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Will the Minister turn his attention to the point that while Stockport is the most favoured part of Greater Manchester, and although the small decrease in unemployment is obviously welcome, unemployment in the centre of Greater Manchester has not decreased? People have been pushed off the register, but there has been no real increase in employment. The local authority has a role to play and Stockport city council will play its role. When will the Government do something positive about mass unemployment in the centre of Greater Manchester?

Mr. Lee

I do not believe that a 24 per cent. reduction in unemployment in Stockport is a small fall. There has been a fall in unemployment in Manchester from 13.2 per cent. to 10.9 per cent. in the past year. As the hon. Gentleman knows, although there are pockets of inner-city unemployment in Manchester, by and large Manchester's economy is vibrant and buoyant.

Mr. Jack

Does my hon. Friend agree that the economic factors that have brought about Stockport's fall in unemployment have also resulted in lower unemployment throughout the north-west of England? Private enterprise has contributed to that good news. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is a more positive contribution to reducing unemployment than some of the far-fetched plans of some local authorities, such as Labour-controlled Lancashire?

Mr. Lee

My hon. Friend is right. There is a tremendous feeling of optimism, pride and confidence throughout the north-west.