HC Deb 08 March 1983 vol 38 cc369-70W
29. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of people unemployed in the south-west assisted area; what percentage this number forms of the total insured population; and what were the corresponding figures 12 months ago.

Mr. Gummer

The following table gives the numbers of unemployed claimants and the percentage rate of unemployment at February 1983, and the numbers registered as unemployed and the percentage rate of unemployment at February 1982 for the assisted areas in the south-west region. It also gives the numbers unemployed and percentage rates of unemployment on both the old and the new basis of the count at October 1982. The difference between the two October figures would not be applicable to other months. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

Numbers unemployed Percentage rate
Registered unemployed
February 1982 60,057 16.2
October 1982 60,796 16.4
Unemployed claimants
October 1982 57,302 15.3
February 1983 61,619 16.4