HC Deb 07 March 2001 vol 364 cc260-1W
11. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the latest calculation is of the level of unemployment in Wales. [151058]

Mr. Hanson

The latest available statistics for Wales show a fall in claimant count unemployment from 6.6 per cent. in April 1997 to 4.4 per cent. in January 2001.

15. Mrs. Betty Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about long-term and youth unemployment in Wales. [151062]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I regularly meet the First Secretary and discuss a wide range of issues including employment in Wales.

Thanks to the success of the Government's New Deal programme, long-term unemployment in Wales now stands at 11,300 and youth unemployment in Wales now stands at 15,900, their lowest figures since 1986.

17. Mr. Denzil Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the level of unemployment in Wales. [151064]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I regularly meet the First Secretary and discuss a wide range of issues including employment in Wales.

Recent labour market statistics show that unemployment is at its lowest for 25 years under this Government. Unemployment is down to 1.005 million UK wide and down to 55,000 in Wales.

Since the New Deal was launched throughout Wales, there has been a 39 per cent. fall in the number of people aged 25 and over who have been unemployed and claiming the Job Seeker's Allowance for two years or more.

18. Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about long-term and youth unemployment in Wales. [151065]

Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about long-term and youth unemployment in Wales. [151063]

Mr. Hanson

I regularly meet the First Secretary and discuss a number of issues including long-term and youth unemployment in Wales.

The latest seasonally adjusted claimant count unemployment rate in Wales was 4.4 per cent. of workforce for January 2001, its lowest level since August 1975, and long-term unemployment and youth unemployment are at their lowest levels in Wales since 1986 at 11,300 and 15,900 respectively.

In addition to this, the Government's New Deal programme has been an outstanding success in helping 27,000 people into work in Wales.