Are the UK Government's employment figures misleading?
Summary
Britain's jobs performance has been good despite a weak economy.
Are the employment figures distorted?
The panel discussed this question and also ranged more widely over the UK economy.
Transmitted 21 January 2013. Posted 24 February 2013. Updated 29 May 2022
On 21 January 2013 I took part in a panel discussion on the Islam Channel, on their Politics & Media show. This was the second half of the day's programme, and the first time I have appeared in both halves. The first half was devoted to immigration from Bulgaria and Romania.
The presenter was John Rees and the participants were:
The 24 minute discussion began by looking at how offical government employment figures are calculated, and how the figures deal with people on employment programmes. However the discussion became much more wide ranging and extended into issues such as:
The state of the economy and the current austerity programme.
Why are the employment figures are so good when the economy is so weak?
How has the international economic situation affected the state of the British economy?
The relative quietness of Keynsian economists in Britain.
The impact upon ethnic minorities of employment discrimination and of self-exclusion.
You can watch the programme below. [Unfortunately, since this page was created, the video has changed status and can no longer be watched. I have left the page up in case it becomes available again in future.]
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