HC Deb 12 November 2001 vol 374 c570W
27. Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the monthly changes in the number of people employed in the manufacturing sector since 1998. [11708]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

Since 1998 the number of people employed in the manufacturing sector has fallen from 4.5 million to 4.1 million. Over the same period, total UK employment has increased by around 500,000.

Manufacturing is an important sector of the economy, with output at near record levels. But as in other industrialised countries, there are fewer people employed in producing these manufactured goods than 20 years ago. In a dynamic economy jobs are being created and lost all of the time. Where changes in the economy lead to job losses, and to upheavals in individuals' lives, help and support is available so they can find a new job as quickly as possible—wherever they live and whatever part of the economy they work in.