§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the rate of unemployment; what the figure was for each of the last five years in(a) the Bolton and Bury travel-to-work area and (b) the rest of the north-west area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe requested information is provided in the table.
Direct comparisons over the period cannot be made because of the various changes to the count over the period, in particular the change in benefit regulations for under 18-year-olds in September 1988 and because of seasonal influences.
Unadjusted unemployment rate (workforce base) April 1985 to April 1990 Bolton and Bury travel-to-work area April Rate 1985 14.7 1986 14.4 1987 13.1 1988 10.7 1989 8.2 1990 6.8 537W
Rest of north-west region April Rate 1985 14.7 1986 14.8 1987 13.7 1988 11.5
April Rate 1989 8.9 1990 7.6
United Kingdom April Rate 1985 11.8 1986 12.0 1987 11.1 1988 9.0 1989 6.6 1990 5.7 Work force rate is unemployed claimants expressed as a percentage of the work force (ie unemployed, employees in employment, self-employed, Her Majesty's forces and participants on work-related Government training programmes).