§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many times since 1979 the method of calculating unemployment statistics has been altered; and if he will give the dates and the reasons which led to the recalculation in each case.
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§ Mr. NichollsThere have been only two changes to the method of calculating the monthly unemployment figures. The first was in October 1982 when there was a switch from counting registrants at jobcentres and careers offices to counting benefit claimants, following the introduction of voluntary registration at jobcentres. The old count would have become incomplete if continued.
A second change in calculation, which did not change the definition of unemployment, was the delay in the compilation of the unemployment figures by two weeks from March 1986. This removed mistaken over-recording caused by the late arrival of information about the status of claimants.
These changes have been taken into account in calculating the seasonally adjusted series which is based on the current definition, allowing for significant changes in coverage.