HC Deb 11 February 1988 vol 127 cc312-3W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in unit labour costs in Britain in each of the last nine years, and also in the original EEC six.

Mr. Lee

International comparisons of unit labour costs for the whole economy are not available. However, figures for manufacturing are provided in the table:

Unit Labour Costs in Manufacturing—Percentage Change on Previous Year
Great Britain Belgium France Germany Italy Netherlands
1978 15 1 7 5 11 2
1979 18 3 9 3 10 3
1980 22 4 12 8 12 4
1981 9 4 12 5 19 1
1982 3 -1 11 3 17 4
1983 -1 -1 8 0 14 -2
1984 2 5 5 1 5 -7
1985 3 4 3 0 9 1
1986 4 4 3 3 3 -1

Notes:

1. The percentages are calculated from index series produced by the International Monetary Fund except for Great Britain, figures for which are published in the Employment Gazette.

2. Unit labour costs for Luxembourg are not available.

3. The source index series are in local currency and are not adjusted for exchange rate changes.