HC Deb 25 June 1984 vol 62 cc344-5W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the percentage rise in (a) male and (b) female unemployment since May 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

Between May 1979 and May 1984 the numbers of unemployed male and female claimants in the United Kingdom increased by 141 per cent. and 185 per cent. respectively. The figure for males is affected by the 1983 Budget provisions which meant that some men aged 60 and over no longer had to sign on to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits. It is estimated that about 162,000 men—that is, 18 per cent. of the May 1979 level were relieved of the need to sign on.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the level of long-term unemployment in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest date; and what were the figures for June 1979;

(2) what is the level of long-term unemployment in the Merseyside special development area at the latest date; and what were the figures for June 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following table gives, for the areas specified, the numbers registered as unemployed for more than 52 weeks in July 1979 (not available for June) and the corresponding numbers for unemployed claimants in April 1984, the latest date for which the information is available. It also gives the figures on both bases for October 1982.

The comparisons are 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 to receive supplementary benefit or national insurance credits.

Unemployed for over 52 weeks Liverpool travel-to-work area Merseyside special development area
Registered
July 1979 22,704 31,256
October 1982 46,630 67,083
Claimants
October 1982 39,871 57,639
April 1984 47,555 68,785

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Liverpool.

Mr. Alan Clark

We are very concerned about the high level of unemployment in Liverpool. The area benefits from the very highest levels of Government assistance. Among other things, Merseyside as a whole has special development area status and a development corporation; Liverpool itself is an inner city partnership and has an enterprise zone; and it has been chosen as one of the experimental freeport locations. The role of the Merseyside task force in strengthening the area's economy and improving its environment has been enhanced.

There are signs that the Government's policies are succeeding in establishing the economic conditions which will help industries in Liverpool and elsewhere become more competitive and start to expand. In the meantime, we are continuing to protect those hardest hit through our special employment and training measures.

Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the United Kingdom have never had a job by sex, age group, and jobcentre.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following table gives, for the United Kingdom, the available imformation for unemployed claimants on 10 May. The figures relate to the numbers of unemployed school leavers—that is, young people who had not entered employment since terminating full-time education. Figures for each jobcentre in the United Kingdom could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Age Male Female
Under 18 years 60,195 44,012
18 years 41,732 29,649
19 years and over 81,698 50,850