§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the contribution to GDP which would result from employment rates in each of the age groups(a) 45–50, (b) 50–55, (c) 55–60, (d) 60–65, (e) 65–70 and (f) over 70 years being the same as the employment rates in the age group 40–45 years. [136076]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 6 November 2000:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on estimates of the contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which could result from employment rates in certain age groups being the same as employment rates in the age group 40–45 years.This information is not available. In order to make this calculation it would be necessary to make assumptions about the characteristics of those entering employment and the jobs they would be doing. In particular predictions would have to be made as to what the hours worked and earnings would be of people moving from inactivity to employment. While simplistic assumptions could be made it might prove misleading to assume, for example, that these factors would be the same as for those already in employment.