HC Deb 03 December 1982 vol 33 cc318-9W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers are unemployed at the latest available date in the county of Derbyshire; and what is the approximate number of school leavers available for each vacancy.

Mr. Alison

At 14 October, the number of unemployed school leavers under 18 years of age claiming benefit—from now on the count is based on claimants-in the county of Derbyshire was 2,730.

At 8 October, there were 1,137 unfilled vacancies at employment offices and 39 at careers offices in the county of Derbyshire. The figures 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. Some vacancies notified to employment offices may be suitable for young people, but their numbers are not separately distinguished. Moreover, the number of vacancies remaining unfilled at a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled or withdrawn, which would reflect activity more closely. For example, during the 12-month period to September 1982, 21,242 people were placed in jobs by employment offices and 2,729 by careers offices in the county of Derbyshire.