HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 c484W
22. Mr. Borrow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on long-term trends in unemployment. [138655]

Mr. Browne

Labour market statistics continue to show employment growing and unemployment on a downward trend. In the last month the unemployment figure fell from 3.1 per cent. to 3.0 per cent., the lowest figure in over 25 years.

These are great achievements. But we know we still have more to do. We are working to ensure that all groups of people, in all parts of the country, have access to job opportunities and are given the support they need to overcome the barriers they face.