HC Deb 30 March 1982 vol 21 cc79-80W
23. Mr. John Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures.

Mr. Alison

At 11 March, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,992,322 and the unemployment rate was 12.5 per cent.

26. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number of registered unemployed in the United Kingdom; what was the figure for the same date in 1979; and what increase in percentage terms there has been.

Mr. Alison

At 11 March, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,992,322 compared with 1,402,254 at March 1979, representing an increase of 113.4 per cent.

28. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest figures available for the number of people unemployed; what proportion this is of the potential working population; and what steps he is taking to reduce unemployment.

Mr. Alison

At 11 March, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,992,322, and the unemployment rate was 12.5 per cent. This is calculated by expressing the unemployed as a percentage of all employees—both in employment and unemployed. This differs from the working population which, in addition to employees, includes the self-employed and members of Her Majesty's Forces.

Our policies are intended to help establish the basis for sustainable economic growth and increased employment in the upturn. Meanwhile, we will be spending nearly £1.5 billion in the coming year on our special employment and training measures.

34. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment, both nationally and regionally.

Mr. Alison

The figures were published in the unemployment press notice issued by my Department on 23 March; a copy is in the House of Commons Library.

40. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest percentage unemployment for Durham county, the Northern region and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Mr. Alison

At 11 March, the provisional rates of unemployment in the county of Durham, the Northern region and the United Kingdom were 15.5, 16 and 12.5 per cent. respectively.