HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 cc75-6W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of British IT specialists seeking employment in each year since 1999. [120300]

Mr. Browne

It is not possible to estimate the number of IT specialists seeking work in the economy as a whole. Jobcentre Plus does however keep records of the number of IT specialists seeking work through their offices, however this is not broken down by their nationality. The available information is in the table:

Number of IT specialists seeking work
Calendar year Number seeking work that year
1999 5,600
2000 11,279
2001 22,921
2002 27,601
20031 6,658
1 Figures are for January to May 2003 inclusive.

Source:

Labour Market System