§ Mr. Winnickasked the Prime Minister what is the number of those aged 45 years and over in the United Kingdom who were unemployed for 12 months and more in May 1979 and now; what is the percentage increase; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe following table gives the available information for the United Kingdom. Figures are given for registered unemployed in April 1979 (not available for May) and in October 1982 and the figures for unemployed claimants in October 1982 and April 1984, the latest date for which an analysis by age and duration of unemployment is available.
The comparison is affected by the change in the basis of the unemployment count in October 1982, and by the 1983 Budget provisions which meant that some men aged 60 and over no longer had to sign on in order to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits.