HC Deb 11 November 1981 vol 12 cc104-5W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures in (a) the Greater London area and (b) the Brent travel-to-work area; if he will give the average period of unemployment and the age breakdown in each case; and what were the figures in May 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 9 November 1981, c. 16]: The numbers registered as unemployed in Greater London at May 1979 and October 1981 were 134,050 and 339,084, respectively. There is no Brent travel-to-work area but figures are available for the Kilburn, Wembley an Willesden employment office areas which together closely correspond to the London borough of Brent. The numbers registered as unemployed at these offices taken together were 4,517 in May 1979 and 14,293 in October 1981. For Greater London, the median length of time unemployed for those on the register at October 1981 was 23 weeks. The corresponding figure at April 1979—not available for May—was 20 weeks. The attached table gives an age breakdown for these dates. Corresponding information for local areas could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

There is likely to have been a substantial number of vacancies in the area not notified to the employment offices and jobcentres. Nationally, the Manpower Services Commission has estimated from a 1977 survey that about a third of vacancies are notified to it.

Following is the table:

Numbers registered as unemployed in Greater London
Age April-1979 October 1981
Under 18 years 5,676 33,183
18 years 4,638 17,089
19 years 5,319 17,843
20–24 years 25,368 68,796
25–29 years 19,649 44,507
30–34 years 14,505 32,988
35–44 years 20,068 44,247
45–49 years 8,997 19,304
50–54 years 9,160 19,160
55–59 years 10,570 20,713
60 years and over 13,189 21,254
Total, all ages 137,139 339,084

Note:

The figures in the lower age ranges for October include summer school leavers and are likely to be higher than for early months in the year.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list by trade and occupation the registered vacancies in (a) the Greater London area and (b) the Brent travel-to-work area in May 1979 and at the latest available date in 1981, respectively.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 9 November 1981, c.16]: The following table gives an analysis by broad occupational groups of the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled in Greater London at June 1979 and September 1981. The figures which are available quarterly, relate to vacancies notified to employment offices but not to careers offices. Corresponding information for local areas could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the economy as a whole. The number of vacancies unfilled at a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled or withdrawn during the preceding month, which would reflect activity more closely. For example during the 12 month period to September 210,840 people were placed in jobs by employment offices in Greater London. It is estimated that the public employment service accounts for about one in four of all placings.

Following is the table:

June 1979 September 1981
Managerial occupations (general management) 40 25
Professional and related occupations supporting management and administration 866 451
Professional and related occupations in education, welfare and health 1,486 777
Literary, artistic and sports 152 123
Professional and related occupations in science, engineering, technology and similar fields 1,089 582
Managerial (excluding general management) 1,315 758
Clerical and related occupations 11,927 3,699
Selling 5,429 2,907
Security and protective service 1,359 435
Catering, cleaning, hairdressing and other personal service 12,552 4,538
Farming, fishing and related occupations 269 115
Materials processing (excluding metal) 741 125
Making and repairing (excluding metal and electrical) 5,543 1,762
Processing, making, repairing and related occupations (metal and electrical) 6,921 1,083
Painting, repetitive assembling, product inspecting, packaging and related occupations 2,913 511
Construction, mining and related occupations not elsewhere classified 1,531 316
Transport operating, materials moving and storing and related occupations 4,911 1,068
Miscellaneous occupations (including general labourers) 2,900 334
Total, all occupations 61,944 19,609