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2.7 Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of the Chief Minister regarding the use of the International Labour Organisation unemployment measures:
Given that there has always been a difference between the registered unemployment figures, which are virtually a claimant count, and the I.L.O. (International Labour Organisation) unemployment measures, would the Minister state what the figure is for July 2010 using these measures, as opposed to those figures published on the gov.je website, bearing in mind that the I.L.O. figures for July 2009 put unemployment at 1,700 against the official level of 940?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
The International Labour Organisation unemployment rate for July 2010 was published in the most recent report on the Jersey labour market released by the Statistics Unit on 6th October 2010. The I.L.O. unemployment rate in July 2010 was
- per cent. This rate corresponds to approximately 1,700 individuals being unemployed. The I.L.O. rate a year earlier in July 2009 was 2.7 per cent, which in fact corresponded to approximately 1,500 individuals being unemployed at that time.
- Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:
I have with me the public transcript from a meeting the Chief Minister attended with the Head of Statistics, in which the Head of Statistics said a 2.7 per cent level of unemployment in July 2009 equated to 1,700. This morning the Chief Minister is saying 3 per cent compares to 1,700. Has the population decreased that much?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
No, I cannot account for what the Head of Statistics said in a public hearing. Clearly the figures we are talking about here are approximations. The rate is clearly 2.7 per cent in 2009 and 3 per cent in 2010. How that relates to the population will vary according to population. The information I have from the Statistics Unit is that 2.7 per cent represents about 1,500 and 3 per cent represents about 1,700.
- Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:
Because I am quite keen to see a real reflection of the labour market, will the Chief Minister undertake to publish on the website in conjunction with the other figures that are being published, which are claimant counts, the I.L.O. figures, so that people can understand and appreciate the actual level of unemployment or what is close to it?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I am happy to ensure that that is published on the website, if it is not already there.
- Deputy I.J. Gorst of St. Clement :
Could the Chief Minister confirm that the I.L.O. rate is included in the monthly report that is issued by the Statistics Department?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I can certainly confirm they are issued on the monthly reports provided by the Social Security Department for statistical purposes. I do not know whether it is on the website at the moment, but it can also be added if needs be. But, yes, I do confirm that.
The Bailiff :
We come next to a question which Deputy Southern will ask of the Chief Minister. No, he will not, he is not here.