§ Ms ChurchTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the number of the work force classified as economically inactive, for each quarter from 1992 to 1995 in(a) absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of the work force; [6909]
(2) what is the Government's definition of economically inactive. [6884]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightIn brief, an economically inactive person is defined to be a person aged 16 or over who is neither in employment nor unemployed according to the International Labour Organisation definitions. Fuller details are given on page 49 of the labour force survey quarterly bulletin, issue No. 14. copies of which are held in the Library. Estimates from the labour force survey of the number and proportion of economically inactive people of working age are shown in the table.
Economically inactive people (Great Britain, not seasonally adjusted) Number of economically inactive people of working age (000s) Economic inactivity rate1 (percentage) Spring 1992 7,183 21.0 Summer 1992 6,954 20.3 Autumn 1992 7,101 20.7 Winter 1992–93 7,282 21.2 Spring 1993 7,326 21.4 Summer 1993 7.051 20.6 Autumn 1993 7,188 20.9 Winter 1993–94 7,396 21.5 Spring 1994 7,393 21.5 Summer 1994 7,071 20.6 Autumn 1994 7,314 21.3 Winter 1994–95 7,555 21.9 Spring 1995 7,510 21.8 Summer 1995 7,138 20.7 1Economically inactive people as a percentage of total population of working age (men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59).