HC Deb 21 December 1982 vol 34 cc443-5W
52. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment in Accrington; how this figure compares with the 1979 level; and what has been the percentage increase during this period.

Mr. Alison

At November 1982, the number of unemployed claimants in the Accrington jobcentre area was 3,316. There is no comparable figure available for 1979 but the number registered as unemployed—old basis—in the area at November 1979 was 948.

Between November 1979 and October 1982 the numbers registered as unemployed increased by 324 per cent.; between October and November 1982, the number of unemployed claimants fell by 0.4 per cent.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the unemployment figures and the percentage rates on a monthly basis in Accrington since May 1979.

Mr. Alison

The following table gives the numbers and percentage rates for registered unemployed—old basis—for each month from May 1979 to October 1982. It also gives the numbers and percentage rates for unemployed claimants—new basis—at October 1982 and November 1982.

The numbers relate to the Accrington jobcentre area and the rates, which are calculated only for complete travel-to-work areas, relate to the Accrington travel-to-work area which comprises the Accrington and Great Harwood jobcentre areas. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

Registered unemployed
Accrington jobcentre area Number Accrington travel-to-work area Percentage rate
1979
May 1,008 4.0
June 1,062 4.2
July 1,207 4.9
August 1,181 4.8
September 1,061 4.2
October 1,036 4.2
November 948 3.9
December 1,022 4.1
1980
January 1,161 4.7
February 1,150 4.6
March 1,231 4.8
April 1,372 5.3
May 1,393 5.4
June 1,784 7.0
July 2,116 8.4
August 2,204 8.7
September 2,312 9.2
October 2,324 9.2
November 2,438 9.6
December 2,572 10.1
1981
January 2,675 10.7
February 2,662 10.6
March 2,736 10.9
April 2,755 11.0
May 2,869 11.5
June 3,041 12.2
July 3,320 13.4
August 3,401 13.8
September 3,504 14.2
October 3,434 14.0
November 3,398 13.9
December 3,270 13.4
1982
January 3,402 14.0
February 3,339 13.9
March 3,356 13.9
April 3,935 16.0
May 3,715 15.4
June 3,915 16.3
July 3,961 16.6
August 3,837 16.1
September 4,130 17.2
October 4,020 16.5
Unemployed claimants
October 3,329 15.3
November 3,316 15.2

Note: The difference shown between the two methods at October 1982 would not be of the same proportions in other months.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many adults in Accrington have been unemployed for six months, one year, and two years, respectively.

Mr. Alison

At 14 October, the numbers of people aged 18 years and over registered as unemployed—old basis—in the Accrington jobcentre area for the lengths of time specified were as follows:

Number
Unemployed for over 26 and up to 52 weeks 867
Unemployed for over 52 and up to 104 weeks 670
Unemployed for over 104 weeks 314