§ Mr. Rooker asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest numbers of unemployed persons in Birmingham; and how this figure compares with April 1979, showing a breakdown between males and females in each of the following age groups: under 18 years, under 25 years, over 55 years and over 60 years, respectively, indicating how many in each of these age groups have either never had a job or have been unemployed for more than one year.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison:At October 1981 the provisional total number of people registered as unemployed in the 297W Birmingham travel-to-work area was 115,726—84,515 males and 31,211 females—compared with 40,275—29,469 males and 10,806 females—in April 1979. An analysis by age and duration of the number unemployed is made quarterly and the latest at present
Number unemployed of whom, those unemployed for over 52 Male Female Total Male Female Total April 1979 Under 18 years 1,191 1,137 2,328 35 49 84 18 to 24 years 7,256 4,322 11,578 1,192 719 1,911 55 to 59 years 2,112 829 2,941 1,056 364 1,420 60 years and over 3,525 43 3,568 1,739 22 1,761 July 1981 Under 18 years 6,351 4,918 11,269 336 227 563 18 to 24 years 18,987 10,303 29,290 4,516 2,213 6,729 55 to 59 years 5,699 1,578 7,277 1,745 610 2,355 60 years and over 7,725 74 7,799 2,391 37 2,428 Comprehensive information is not available for those unemployed who have never had a job, but the number of unemployed school leavers who have not entered employment since completing full-time education is given below for those aged under 18 years. The figures for
298Wavailable is for July. The following table gives information for the Birmingham travel-to-work area for April 1979 and July 1981 for the age ranges specified, distinguishing those unemployed for more than 52 weeks.
October include this year's summer school leavers, whereas the April 1979 figures do not even include the Easter school leavers in that year.
Male Female Total April 1979 226 285 511 October 1981 4,798 3,725 8,523