HC Deb 26 April 2004 vol 420 cc852-3W
Jim Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the levels of longterm(a) adult and (b) youth employment in Heywood and Middleton over the last seven years. [168539]

Jane Kennedy

Tile UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world. We have the highest employment and the lowest unemployment of the major industrialised countries.

Through a combination of economic stability and radical labour market reforms, more than 1.75 million more people are in work now than in 1997 and unemployment is at its lowest level for nearly 30 years.

Specific information for Heywood and Middleton is in the table.

Number unemployed for a year or more
Over 25s 18 to 24-year-olds
1997 653 144
2004 148 12
Percentage change -79 -92

Mr. Kaufman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the level of long-term(a) adult and (b) youth employment in Manchester, Gorton over the last seven years. [167347]

Jane Kennedy

The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world. We have the highest employment and the lowest unemployment of the major industrialised countries.

Through a combination of economic stability and radical labour market reforms, more than 1.75 million more people are in work now than in 1997 and unemployment is at its lowest level for nearly 30 years.

Specific information for Manchester, Gorton is in the table.

1997 2004 Percentage

change
Number of over-25s unemployed

for a year or more

 1,490 534 -64
Number of 18 to 24-year-olds

unemployed for a year or more

 412 37 -91

James Purnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the levels of long-term(a) adult and (b) youth employment in Stalybridge and Hyde over the last seven years. [168742]

Jane Kennedy

The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world. We have the highest employment and the lowest unemployment of the major industrialised countries.

Through a combination of economic stability and radical labour market reforms, more than 1.75 million more people are in work now than in 1997 and unemployment is at its lowest level for nearly 30 years.

Specific information for Stalybridge and Hyde is in the table.

1997 2004 Percentage

change
Number of over-25s unemployed

for a year or more

 633 144 -77
Number of 18 to 24-year-olds

unemployed for a year or more

 102 10 -90