HC Deb 08 February 1983 vol 36 cc328-9W
17. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number and percentage of those who are unemployed (a) overall and (b) expressed on a regional basis.

Mr. Alison

At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715 and the unemployment rate was 13.8 per cent. The comparable regional figures were published in the unemployment press notice issued by my Department on 3 February; a copy is in the House of Commons Library.

19. Mr. David Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are presently registered as unemployed.

Mr. Tebbit

At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.

25. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of registered unemployed at the latest available date; and how many of these are classed as long-term.

Mr. Alison

At January 1983, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.

At October 1982, the latest date for which an analysis by duration of unemployment is available, out of a total of 3,049,000 unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, 1,029,000 had been unemployed for over 52 weeks.

27. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment, as calculated on the new and old basis; and if he will make a statement.

29. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number who are now unemployed in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants—new basis—in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715. Figures on the old basis of registrations are no longer compiled.

January saw the sharp rise in unemployment that is usual at this time of year, together with an underlying increase like that being experienced widely throughout the world. The Government continue to put the problem of unemployment at the top of their priorities, but to increase the number of jobs requires us to increase our share of the market for goods and services at home and abroad. Our success against inflation is helping, but there is no escape from the reality of the need to beat our competitors.

45. Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of Sate for Employment what has been the increase in unemployment in percentage terms between December 1981 and December 1982 in the United Kingdom and France, respectively.

Mr. Alison

Unadjusted figures on national definitions show that between December 1981 and December 1982 unemployment increased by 12 per cent. in the United Kingdom and 6 per cent. in France.

48. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the total of unemployed persons.

Mr. Alison

At 13 January, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom was 3,224,715.

Dr. M. S. Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures of male and female unemployment for the United Kingdom, England and Scotland, respectively.

Mr. Alison

The following table gives the numbers of male and female unemployed claimants in the areas specified at 13 January.

Percentage changes
Travel to work area Number registered as unemployed May 1979 Number of unemployed claimants January 1983 Registered unemployed May 1979 to October 1982 Unemployed claimants October 1982 to January 1983
Accrington 1,181 4,798 +310.5 + 7.4
Blackburn 4,077 9,711 + 158.7 + 1.9
Burnley 2,046 6,409 +221.2 + 5.7
Nelson 1,082 4,287 +265.3 + 13.8
Rossendale 892 2,845 +301.8 - 0.1