HC Deb 12 July 1977 vol 935 cc80-2W
20. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were out of work in the United Kingdom at the most recent count; and what was the comparable figure in the same month in 1973.

Mr. Booth

The numbers registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom at June 1977 and June 1973 were 1,450,055 and 574,612, respectively.

26. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many areas in England have a rate of unemployment worse than Clacton-on-Sea (a) including development areas, and (b) excluding development areas.

Mr. Golding

At 9th June the unemployment rate for Clacton-on-Sea was 10.6 per cent. There were 16 areas in England with rates in excess of 10.6 per cent. and six of these were outside the development areas.

44. Mr. Henderson

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

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Booth

The latest unemployment figures were announced on 21st June. These showed that at 9th June, 1,390,401 people were registered as unemployed in Great Britain, an increase of over 100,000 since mid-May. The total has risen mainly because of the summer school leavers although there was also a small increase in the number of adult unemployed. The July and August figures will include the rest of the summer school leavers, and so any decline in the figures in the immediate future is very unlikely.

47. Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment among the 16 to 19 and 16 to 25 years age groups.

Mr. Golding

At January 1977, the latest date for which the half-yearly age analysis is available, the numbers of people registered as unemployed in Great Britain in the under 20 and under 25 year age groups were 252,328 and 507,244, respectively.

51. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment.

Mr. Booth

At 9th June, 1,390,401 people were registered as unemployed in Great Britain.

53. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of unemployed in June 1976; what is the number of unemployed for June 1977; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Golding

The numbers registered as unemployed in Great Britain in June 1976 ark; June 1977 were 1,277,884 and 1,390,401 respectively.

The rise in unemployment is partly due to more unemployed school leavers than at this time last year and also to a rise in adult unemployment. The former emphasises the importance of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend on 29th June. The rise in the latter stresses the need to bring down the rate of inflation and to strengthen the balance of payments.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average number unemployed in the periods 1945–51, 1952–64, 1965–70, 1971–74 and 1975–76.

Mr. Golding

The current series of unemployment statistics commenced in July 1948. The following table gives the average numbers registered as unemployed in Great Britain in 1949 to 1951 and in the other periods specified:

1949–51 … … … 308.2
1952–64 … … … 380.0
1965–70 … … … 506.1
1971–74 … … … 727.7
1975–76 … … … 1,159.9