§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the percentage unemployed in the age group 16 to 21 years; and what are the comparative figures for the past five years.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe unemployment rate for the 16 to 21 age group is not available. Estimates for the 16 to 19 and 20 to 24 age groups are shown below for all available periods:
(Great Britain)Percentages 16–10 20–24 1975 July … … … 9.4 5.2 1976 January … … … 10.7 8.0 July … … … 17.3 7.9 1977 January … … … 11.7 8.8 July … … … 19.4 8.7 1978 January … … … 12.5 9.5 July … … … 18.7 8.3 October … … … 11.8 8.5 1979 January … … … 11.0 9.0 April … … … 9.4 8.3 The unemployment in the 16–19 age group include school leavers; consequently, the rates are inevitably high in July at the end of the school year.
Changes in the school leaving regulations in 1976 mean that 1976 and later figures are not directly comparable with 1975 figures.
Note:
Whilst the figures are presented to one decimal place, they should not be regarded as implying precision to that degree.