HC Deb 21 June 1982 vol 26 c32W
Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the percentage increases in total unemployment in the United Kingdom from May to May in each of the last five years.

Mr. Alison

Between May 1978 and May 1979 there was a decrease of 6.3 per cent. The increases for the remaining four years were as follows:

Percentage increase
May 1977 to May 1978 3.4
May 1979 to May 1980 16.2
May 1980 to May 1981 69.5
May 1981 to May 1982 16.1