HC Deb 25 October 1982 vol 29 cc294-6W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase in unemployment since May 1979 in (a) the North-West, (b)Merseyside special development area, (c) Kirkby employment office area and (d) Ormskirk employment office area.

Mr. Alison:

The following table gives the percentage increase in the numbers registered as unemployed between May 1979 and September 1982 in the areas specified. The figures on which the increases are based include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

Percentage increase
North-West region 148
Merseyside special development area 83
Kirkby employment office area 56
Ormskirk employment office area 191

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed school leavers there are in (a) the North-West, (b) Merseyside, (c) Kirkby and (d) Ormskirk.

Mr. Alison:

The following is the information at 9 September.

Unemployed school leavers under 18 years of age
Number
North-West region 37,399
Merseyside special development area 11,049
Kirkby employment office area 615
Ormskirk employment office area 135

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are unemployed in (a) the North-West, (b) Merseyside, (c) Kirkby and (d) Ormskirk.

Mr. Alison:

The following is the information at 9 September.

Numbers
North-West region 473,708
Merseyside special development area 147,863
Kirkby employment office area 8,269
Ormskirk employment office area 2,074

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in (a) the North-West, (b) Merseyside, (c) Kirkby and (d) Ormskirk have never had a full time job since leaving school.

Mr. Alison:

The following table gives the numbers of young people registered as unemployed at 9 September who had not entered employment since completing full-time education (ie unemployed school leavers of all ages).

Under 18 Aged 18 Aged 19 and over
North-West region 37,399 12,502 16,551
Merseyside special development area 11,049 4,966 5,542
Kirkby employment office area 615 289 204
Ormskirk employment office area 135 97 63

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects those currently unemployed in the North-West, in Merseyside, in Kirkby and in Ormskirk to have jobs.

Mr. Alison:

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 May 1982. Since then inflation has fallen to 7.3 per cent. and interest rates have been still further reduced. [Vol. 23, c.181.