HC Deb 13 June 1989 vol 154 cc384-5W
Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of people in employment in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Nicholls

Between March 1983 and December 1988 the work force in employment in the United Kingdom increased by 2,951,000 to 26,513,000, the highest level on record. This rising trend has now continued for more than five years. The figures have been adjusted for the effects of seasonal variations. The work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self employed, Her Majesty's Forces and participants in work-related Government training programmes.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage of(a) people of working age, (b) men of working age, and (c) women of working age, who are

Percentage of those aged 15 to 64
In the labour force In employment
People Men Women People Men Women
Belgium 63 75 51 56 69 43
Denmark 83 88 76 78 85 71
Federal Republic of Germany1 65 80 50 60 74 46
Greece1 60 78 42 55 73 37
Spain 56 78 34 44 63 25
France 66 76 55 59 70 48
Ireland 61 85 37 51 69 32
Italy 61 79 42 54 74 35
Luxembourg 65 86 44 64 85 43
Netherlands 58 75 41 52 68 36
Portugal 71 86 56 65 81 50
United Kingdom 75 89 62 66 77 56
1 1985 figures.

Sources:

United Kingdom: Department of Employment.

Other countries: OECD Labour Force Statistics 1966 to 1986.