HC Deb 29 June 1977 vol 934 cc244-6W
Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the present unemployment total is (a) under 18 years of age, (b) under 21 years of age and (c) under 25 years of age; and what was the position at the same time of year in 1974.

Mr. Golding

Detailed age analyses of the numbers registered as unemployed are made only in respect of January and July. The following table shows the numbers unemployed in Great Britain at January 1977 in the age ranges below 25 years for which data arc compiled and expresses them as percentages of the total number unemployed.

Number Percentage of total unemployed
Under 18 years … 122,366 8.8
18–19 years … 129,962 9.3
20–24 years … 254,916 18.3

Corresponding figures for January 1974 were not collected, because of the energy crisis.

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish figures to show in which age groups unemployment has risen proportionately the fastest over the period 1973 to 1977.

Mr. Golding

The following table gives an age breakdown of the numbers registered as unemployed in Great Britain at January 1977, the latest date for which this half-yearly analysis is available, and at January 1973, with percentage changes between these dates.

Age range January1973 January 1977 Percentage increase January 1973-January 1977
Under 18 47,052 122,366 160.1
18–19 67,689 129,962 92.0
20–24 126,728 254,916 101.2
25–29 80,292 178,106 121.8
30–34 60,815 121,074 99.1
35–39 54,479 97,961 79.8
40–44 55,118 87,318 58.4
45–19 57,813 83,815 45.0
50–54 58,655 88,727 51.3
55–59 65,600 85,996 31.1
60 and over 121,717 139,977 15.0

The figures for January 1973 include 15,600 adult students for whom a separate age analysis is not available. Adult students are not included in the figures for January 1977.

Mr. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment by what percentage unemployment has increased since February 1974; and if he can give separate percentages in respect of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Golding

Based on seasonally adjusted figures, which exclude school leavers, the increases between February 1974 and June 1977 were 134.2 per cent. for the United Kingdom, 97.8 per cent. for Scotland, and 140.4 per cent. for the rest of the United Kingdom.