HC Deb 19 October 1993 vol 230 cc140-1
11. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what areas unemployment has fallen over the past six months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

Every region in the United Kingdom experienced a fall in unemployment last month and, in eight out of 11 regions, a fall in unemployment so far this year.

Mr. Greenway

I welcome that news very warmly as will all right-thinking people. Is my right hon. Friend aware that at a conference with Sir Ron Dearing and heads, teachers, parents and pupils in my constituency last week it was unanimously agreed that the education of children in schools has to be geared to prepare them for a very competitive world? Does he think that the Labour and Liberal parties are aware of that need? They do not seem to show it.

Mr. Hunt

I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. The stream of doom and gloom that comes from the Opposition Benches does much to mar the achievements of the British people, in particular that of leading Europe out of the recession. Britain, as he rightly points out, is in very good shape to benefit from the recovery, with manufacturing productivity growth in 1993 the highest for six years and growing faster than in any other major country, and with earnings growth the lowest for 25 years. Unemployment has already fallen by 84,000, and that bodes well for the future.

Mr. Ronnie Campbell

Is the Minister aware that in my constituency of Blyth Valley unemployment has increased, so it must be one of the few areas where, according to him, that is happening? Is he aware that this afternoon we delivered a petition from the trainees of Blyth Valley to the Prime Minister, expressing the lack of hope among, and the lack of a future for, young people in my constituency? What will he do about that? When will the Government get off their backsides and do something about it?

Mr. Hunt

Those young people will lack hope if they listen to the hon. Gentleman. He and his hon. Friends bear a heavy responsibility for trying to talk down the prospects for this country of ours. With unemployment having fallen in every part of the United Kingdom last month, the prospects are good. With strikes at their lowest for

60 years, the prospects are good. With GDP whole economy output up for five successive quarters, the prospects are good. They would be even better if people listened to my right hon. Friends and me instead of to the siren voices of gloom on the Opposition Benches.

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