HC Deb 15 April 1986 vol 95 cc357-8W
Mr. Coombs

asked the Paymaster General if he will give as a percentage of the total population of the United Kingdom, for each of the last 20 years for which figures are available, the number of those (a) in employment, (b) seeking work and (c) the totals of (a) and (b).

Mr. Lang

The following table gives the available series of estimates.

June Employed labour force as per cent. of population of all ages Unemployed claimants as per cent. of population of all ages Working population as per cent. of population of all ages
1965 46.4 0.6 46.9
1966 46.4 0.5 46.9
1967 45.5 0.9 46.4
1968 45.0 1.0 46.0
1969 44.8 0.9 45.8
1970 44.5 1.0 45.5
1971 43.8 1.2 45.1
1972 43.7 1.4 45.1
1973 44.6 1.0 45.6
1974 44.7 0.9 45.6
1975 44.5 1.5 46.0
1976 44.2 2.3 46.4
1977 44.2 2.4 46.7
1978 44.5 2.4 46.9
1979 45.1 2.2 47.3
1980 44.9 2.7 47.6
1981 43.1 4.2 47.4
1982 42.4 4.9 47.3
1983 41.8 5.3 47.1
1984 42.5 5.4 47.8
1985 43.0 5.6 48.6

Mr. John Fraser

asked the Paymaster General how many of those who are unemployed are married men with working wives.

Mr. Lang

According to the results of the labour force survey, in Great Britain in spring 1984, there were 219,000 men without a job and seeking work, with wives who had a paid job.

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