HC Deb 03 July 1985 vol 82 cc164-6W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the levels of unemployment in each special development area in England and Wales at the latest available date; and what were the corresponding figures for July 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following information is in the Library. As special development areas were abolished in November 1984, the latest figures relate to October 1984 and to the former travel-to-work areas and jobcentre areas which comprised special development areas at that time. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979 because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the 1983 Budget provisions; but figures are given for registered unemployed in the same areas in July 1979.

Unemployment in travel-to-work areas and jobcentre areas in special development area (as defined October 1984) in England and wales.
Registered unemployed July 1979 Unemployed claimants October 1984
South west
Falmouth 1,892 2,416
Redruth 2,420 4,215
North west
Birkenhead 18,324 32,213
Liverpool 61,522 91,843
Widnes 6,001 11,924
Skelmersdale* 2,895 4,812
North
Consett 3,713 7,874
Hartlepool 6,162 10,006
North Tyne 21,932 40,504
Peterlee 3,071 5,096
South Tyne 20,332 35,561
Teesside 22,829 47,407
Wearside 17,955 30,680
Wales
Bargoed 3,354 5,477
Ebbw Vale 3,942 5,753
Holyhead 2,375 4,726
Port Talbot 6,036 11,877
Shotton 4,126 8,355
Wrexham 5,219 7,842
Ferndale* 514 1,499
Tonypandy* 1,920 2,464
Treorchy* 628 1,413
* Jobcentres not forming complete travel-to-work areas.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of long-term youth unemployment in England and Wales at the latest available date; and what was the level in July 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following information is in the Library. On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in England and Wales was 276,583 an 21,871 respectively. It is difficult to make a comparison with May 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in jobcentre areas approximating to England and Wales in July 1979 was 42,984 and 3,887 respectively.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of long-term youth unemployment on Merseyside; and what was the level in July 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following information is in the Library. On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in Merseyside was 22,099. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in jobcentre areas approximating to Merseyside in July 1979 was 8,264.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest available date; and what were the figures for July 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following information is in the Library. On 9 May 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 104,986. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, the 1983 Budget provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 or over, no longer need to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit, and the changes to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed in the former Liverpool travel-to-work area in July 1979 was 61,522.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were unemployed on Merseyside at the latest date; and what were the figures for July 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following information is in the Library. On 9 May 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in Merseyside was 138,847. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, the 1983 provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 or over, no longer need to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit, and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed in jobcentre areas approximating to Merseyside in July 1979 was 87,327.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the social consequences of long-term youth unemployment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

A study of the social and psychological effects of unemployment on disadvantaged young people has been undertaken on my Department's behalf by the social and applied psychology unit of Sheffield university. The study covered 11 urban areas, including Merseyside. A summary of the first stages of the study appeared in the August 1984 issue of theEmployment Gazette.