HC Deb 30 July 1984 vol 65 cc6-8W
Mr. Winnick

asked the Prime Minister what would be the percentage change between May 1979 and now in the income tax and national insurance paid by a person with two dependent children on (a) average income, (b) half average income, (c) three-quarters average income and (d) salaries of £25,000, £30,000, £35,000, £40,000, £45,000, £50,000, £55,000, £60,000, £65,000, £70,000 and £100,000, respectively.

The Prime Minister

The information is in the following table.

Unemployed for over 52 weeks—aged 45 years and over
Numbers
Claimants
April 1979 182,464
October 1982 424,434
Percentage change +132.6
Claimants
October 1982 387,704
April 1984 387,739
Percentage change Negligible

Mr. Winnick

asked the Prime Minister what was the number of those in the United Kingdom aged 16 to 20 years who were unemployed for 12 months or more in May 1979 and now; what is the percentage increase; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The following table gives the available information for the United Kingdom. Figures are given for registered unemployed in April 1979 (not available for May) and in October 1982 and the figures for unemployed claimants in October 1982 and April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available.

The comparison is affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982.

Unemployed for over 52 weeks—aged under 20 years
Number
Registered
April 1979 19,799
October 1982 101,414
Percentage change +412.2
Claimants
October 1982 88,595
April 1984 120,568
Percentage change +36.1

Unemployed for over 52 weeks—aged under 20 years
West Midlands region Dudley and Sandwell travel-to-work area Wolverhampton travel-to-work area Walsall travel-to-work area
Registered
April 1979 1,837 153 191 90
October 1982 12,805 1,570 1,079 1,245
Percentage change +597.1 +926.1 +464.9 +1.283.9
Claimants
October 1982 11,387 1,459 820 1,022
April 1984 14,833 2,108 1,142 1,304
Percentage change +30.3 +44.5 +39.3 +27.6

Mr. Winnick

asked the Prime Minister if she will give the numbers unemployed in the United Kingdom for 12 months and more in May 1979 and at the present time; what has been the percentage increase; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The following table gives the available information for the United Kingdom. Figures are given for registered unemployed in April 1979 (not available for May) and in October 1982, and for unemployed claimants in October 1982 and April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available.

The comparison is affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982 and by the 1983 Budget provisions which meant that some men aged 60 and over no longer had to sign on in order to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits.

Unemployed for over 52 weeks—United Kingdom
Number
Registered
April 1979 366,711

Mr. Winnick

asked the Prime Minister what was the number of those in (a) the West Midlands and (b) the Black Country areas aged 16 to 20 years who were unemployed for 12 months and more in May 1979 and now; what is the percentage increase; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The following table gives the available information for the areas specified. Figures are given for the registered unemployed in April 1979 (not available for May) and in October 1982, and the claimant unemployed in October 1982 and April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration is available.

The comparisons are affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982.

Number
October 1982 1,169,558
per cent.
Percentage change 218.9
Claimants
October 1982 989,306
April 1984 1,218,144
per cent.
Percentage change 23.1