HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc360-1W
Mr. O'Brien

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the unemployment benefit service.

Mr. Lang

Yes, although we are always keen to make further improvements. There has been a 60 per cent. improvement in productivity since 1979.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Paymaster General what has been the total number of unemployed claimants in each of the Brighton and Leicester parliamentary constituencies for each year since 1979 (a) showing the number of males and females and (b) showing the number by age group under 25 years, 25 to 50 years and over 50 years.

Mr. Lang

The following information is in the Library. The table gives figures for 10 April 1986, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, and for April 1984 and April 1985. The comparison is affected by the change in the timing of compilation of unemployment statistics in March 1986. Statistics of unemployment for parliamentary constituencies are derived from the new ward-based system and are available only from June 1983.

UNEMPLOYED CLAIMANTS BY SEX AND AGE
Brighton Kemptown Parliamentary Constituency
Male Female Total
April 1984 3,371 1,198 4,569
April 1985 3,477 1,373 4,850
April 1986 3,479 1,437 4,916

Under 25 years 25–49 years Over 50 years Total
April 1984 1,631 2,141 797 4,569
April 1985 1,641 2,342 867 4,850
April 1986 1,670 2,412 834 4,916

Brighton Pavilion Parliamentary Constituency
Male Female Total
April 1984 3,079 1,281 4,360
April 1985 3,354 1,549 4,903
April 1986 3,408 1,560 4,968

Under 25 years 25–49 years Over 50 years Total
April 1984 1,513 2,049 798 4,360
April 1985 1,742 2,319 842 4,903
April 1986 1,703 2,402 863 4,968

Leicester East Parliamentary Constituency
Male Female Total
April 1984 3,966 1,849 5,815
April 1985 3,916 1,880 5,796
April 1986 3,798 1,840 5,638

Under 25 years 25–49 years Over 50 years Total
April 1984 2,019 2,792 1,004 5,815
April 1985 1,987 2,870 939 5,796
April 1986 1,811 2,819 1,008 5,638

Leicester South Parliamentary Constituency
Male Female Total
April 1984 5,401 1,902 7,303
April 1985 5,456 2,116 7,572
April 1986 5,337 2,008 7,345

Under 25 years 25–49 years Over 50 years Total
April 1984 2,709 3,440 1,154 7,303
April 1985 2,756 3,639 1,177 7,572
April 1986 2,545 3,571 1,229 7,345

Consumer prices indices
1970=100
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
Belgium 191 201.4 217 236 254 270 283
Canada 197 215.9 243 267 285 297 309
France 221 248.7 282 315 346 371 393
Federal Republic of Germany 156 164.9 175 185 191 195 200
Italy 305 363.2 428 498 571 633 691
Japan 219 237.6 249 256 261 266 272
Netherlands 191 201.8 215 228 234 242 248
United States of America 187 213.1 235 250 258 269 278
United Kingdom 306 361.0 404 438 458 481 511

Source: International Labour Office—Year Book of Labour Statistics.