HC Deb 17 January 1986 vol 89 cc725-6W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Paymaster General why disabled persons are included in the unemployment count.

Mr. Alan Clark

Disabled people are included in the count of people claiming unemployment benefits because they declare that they are capable and available for work. Some severely disabled people, who could not obtain employment except under sheltered conditions, are included. The severely disabled used to be excluded from the former count at jobcentres and careers offices until October 1982 when they numbered about 23,000; but they are not separately identified at unemployment benefit offices which have been the source of the unemployment count since then.