Tackling long term unemployment: a proposal

In Britain during July of 1983 11% of a l l male claimants on the unemployment
register had been unemployed for at l e a s t one year. Over 60% had been
unemployed for six months or more. The proportions for females were somewhat
lower, but one in four had been a claimant for over one year, while one in two had been a claimant for at least six months. The incidence of long term unemployment has been increasing over time. In July of 1981 46% of all men and women on the register had been out of work for six months or more. Two years later the proportion thus affected had increased to 58%. These are national figures and embrace people of all ages. In some parts of the country - the West Midlands, North and North West of England - and amongst some age groups - the over 35's and particularly the over 45's - the proportions are significantly higher. This economic perspective seeks to propose an alternative approach to solving Britain's long term unemployment problem.