Government Stats on the the unemployed.

[Nelli]

Where can I find statistics and figures on things like the percentage of the unemployed in certain areas, the minimum wage....etc.

[woodpam]

Go to http://www.statistics.gov.uk for masses of information. Go to http://dwp.gov.uk for numbers of claimants, but be wary of taking these as a full picture of employment. For example, many groups of unemployed people are prevented from claiming including all under 18 year olds and those with a partner who is expected to support them. Likewise, be aware that the job count will include 20 jobs from a MacDonalds or similar organisation, even if they are part time jobs not paying enough to live on. By the time each job centre office has counted all these types of jobs in their area it looks as if there are thousands of jobs available. You need to look carefully at what exactly is being counted to get an accurate picture. Don't blame the job centre staff for this, the computer system has been designed to count exactly the things that make the economy look good, and the staff are prevented by the Official Secrets Act from spilling the beans. In one year alone during the huge rise in unemployment that plagued the Conservative government then in power, the count was changed 11 times in one year to exclude more and more groups of people and keep the figures down. You need to be asking questions like "Are all the people currently on New Deal schemes counted as unemployed."

[Nelli]

Thanks Pam, fantastic info, jsut what I wanted. On a personal note, I think its appalling the way you have to read between the lines when understanding these figures. MyBoyfriend was made redundant about a year ago, he was a successful It Manager, because we live together he could not claim a penny! and because he was out of work about 3 years previous he couldn't claim any benefits at all, for 8 months we couldn't pay the mortgage or any bills. Sometimes I really do wonder at the state of our Welfare system. Thanks Pam you're a star!

[woodpam]

you're very welcome Nelli. I forgot to add that the website for employment legislation (which will contain the minimum wage) is http://www.tiger.gov.uk. I sympathise entirely with your comments about how you can be left helpless in periods of unemployment, you can see why some people are scared to give up benefits for an insecure job when they have all the trauma of re starting their claim to look forward to.

[brooklyn77]

Just thought i would like to add something. Dont believe government statistics, go for independant stats. They may also be doddgy but its better than government stats. Everyone knows when employment is high or low but stats to the letter are harder to interpret.The govenment will use stats to their advantage. EG: Are students used as unemployed in stats?? or Are people in paid education considered working?? etc.. etc.. i am sure you know what i mean. Just take all stats with a pinch of salt.