§ Dr. Jack CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were unemployed in Copeland in(a) May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; what proposals he has to reduce that number; and if he will make a statement. [87142]
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§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 16 December 2002]: Economic stability and active labour market programmes have helped people move from welfare to work in all parts of the country. As a result of our policies the number of people in work is at record levels and unemployment has fallen to levels not seen since the 1970s.
In my right hon. Friend's constituency, between May 1997 and October 2002 the number of people unemployed and claiming benefit fell from 2,784 to 1,382 (a reduction of 50 per cent.) and long term unemployment has fallen by 75 per cent. Over the same period the New Deal has helped over 1,800 people in Copeland into jobs.
We know that even within areas of prosperity there are pockets of persistent unemployment. That is why we have introduced additional measures—such as Action Teams for Jobs and Employment Zones—targeted on the most employment-deprived wards in the country.