HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 cc68-9W
47. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures of unemployment for the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 8 October, the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,988,644.

54. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures available for the numbers and percentages of the working population who are unemployed; what is the unemployment percentage of men over 60 years of age; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 8 October 1981, the United Kingdom unemployment was 2,988,644 and the rate, expressing the unemployed as a percentage of the employed population, both in employment and unemployed was 12.4 per cent. The unemployment rate for men aged 60 and over was estimated to be 20 per cent. at the same date.

31. Mr. Skinner

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

35. Mr. Cryer

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

Mr. Peter Morrison

We are determined to reverse the long term decline which has led to the tragically high figures. But there cannot be a sustained fall in unemployment until we establish economic recovery, become competitive and regain our place in world markets. Meanwhile, we are helping those worst affected through special employment measures, which will cost £1 ½ billion next year.

34. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total numbers in the United Kingdom of those registered unemployed, on short time and engaged in Manpower Service Commission schemes; and by how much unemployment has increased since May 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 8 October 1981, the total number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,988,644.

Information about the numbers on short-time working relates to operatives in manufacturing industries in Great Britain. In the week ended 15 August 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, 196,000 operatives were on short-time working either for the whole or for part of the week.

The numbers of people covered by the special employment and training measures are available for Great Britain and the estimated figure at the end of September 1981, the latest available, was 697,300, broken down as follows:

Number
Temporary short-time working compensation scheme 320,000
Job release scheme 51,000
Youth opportunities programme 270,000
Community industry 7,000
Community enterprise programme 19,000
Training for skills (end of August) 30,300

Between May 1979 and October 1981 the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom, excluding school leavers and seasonally adjusted, increased by 1,416,900.

41. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total number of registered unemployed and the percentage of the working population this represents and the equivalent figures for June 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At October 1981 the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom, excluding school-leavers and seasonally adjusted, was 2,728,900 and the unemployment rate 11.3 per cent. The corresponding figures for June 1979 were 1,283,900 and 5.3 per cent. The rate of unemployment is based on the estimated number of employees—employed and unemployed—which differs from the working population in that it excludes members of Her Majesty's Forces and the self-employed.