§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people registered as unemployed in December 1983 in the United Kingdom and the number who were registered as unemployed in May 1979; and what percentage increase has occurred since May 1979.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn December 1983, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, was 2,946,100. The corresponding estimate for May 1979 was 1,253,500. The increase between the two dates was 135 per cent.
The comparison between May 1979 and December 1983 is affected by the 1983 Budget provisions, which meant that about 162,000 men aged 60 and over no longer have to sign on at an unemployment benefit office.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many employment areas in the United Kingdom the unemployment rate is above 20 per cent.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkOn 12 January there were 57 travel-to-work areas in the United Kingdom whose unemployment rates were above 20 per cent.