ONS · 2 May 1997 – 7 June 2001

People claiming unemployment-related benefits during the Labour 1997–2001 government

April 1997 → May 2001 · 49 periods

↓ 41.9%−707,060 people

People claiming unemployment-related benefits fell by 41.9% over the period, from 1,687,960 people (April 1997, the level when the government took office) to 980,900 (May 2001, the last complete period before it left office).

Inherited level April 1997: 1,687,960
Level when it left May 2001: 980,900
method: latest complete period before start / before end

Changes during this period do not by themselves show what the government caused. Statistics reflect many influences, including earlier decisions, the economy and how the data is collected.

Published valueProvisional or revisedLatestDashed line: change in coverage or methodShaded bands: governments (see labels)Hover or use arrow keys to read a value

Definition and caveats

The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits in the area in the month, as published by the ONS from Department for Work and Pensions systems: Jobseeker's Allowance claimants, and Universal Credit claimants in the "searching for work" conditionality group.

Doesn’t measure: Unemployment. Someone out of work who does not claim is not counted, and someone in work on a low income who claims Universal Credit and must look for more work is. The Labour Force Survey measures unemployment.