HC Deb 02 July 1980 vol 987 cc561-2W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area; and how this figure compares with the same period in 1979;

(2) what is the percentage unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area; and what was the percentage for the same period in 1979.

Mr. Jim Lester

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1980, c. 381]: At 12 June, 1980 the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 64,899, an unemployment rate of 13.6 per cent. The corresponding figures at 14 June 1979 were 59,399 and 12.3 per cent.

The June 1980 figures are not strictly comparable with those for June 1979 because of the introduction of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. Estimates for local areas are not available but for the country as a whole the monthly unemployment figures are about 20,000 (1½ per cent.) higher than under weekly attendance.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of vacancies in the Liverpool travel-to-work area; and what was the number in June 1979.

Mr. Jim Lester

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1980, c. 381]: At 6 June 1980 there were 1,482 notified vacancies remaining unfilled at employment offices and 27 at careers offices in the Liverpool travel-to-work area. The corresponding figures at 8 June 1979 were 2,713 and 48.

highest rates of unemployment—Northern, Wales and Scotland.

The statistics relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices. Vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication, the figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together.