HC Deb 26 July 1979 vol 971 cc439-40W
Mr. Skeet

asked 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 Lester

The 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.