[A-List] New economy bull: cooking the books

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Further to our recent discussions concerning the reliability of official
statistics, when, despite historically low unemployment (officially) one in
five UK children grow up in poverty....


True level of joblessness 'is three time the official figure'
CAMERON SIMPSON
The Herald, 29 October 2002

REAL unemployment in Scotland is running at 360,000, or 13%, compared with
the official rate of just 115,000, according to a report released today.

Glasgow has the highest rate, at 22%, it claims, followed by West
Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire and Clackmannanshire, all at 19%.

The Real Level of Unemployment 2002 - which exposes the unemployed "hidden"
by the official figures - was compiled by researchers at Sheffield Hallam
and Warwick universities.

It also challenges official claims that unemployment is now below one
million in Britain, arguing that the real level is about 2.8 million.

The SNP said last night that both Labour and Tory governments had tried to
massage the unemployment statistics.

Andrew Wilson, the party's shadow economy minister, said: "Until we
recognise the real extent of the problem, how can we hope to have a
government focused on providing the solutions that will help Scotland to
achieve its full economic potential?"

The report explains that large numbers are diverted from
unemployment-related benefits (mainly the jobseeker's allowance) to others,
or out

of the benefits system altogether.

They are therefore excluded from official monthly unemployment figures,
which count only those claiming unemployment benefits.

In particular, the research highlights the large number of unemployed with
health problems who have been diverted to sickness-related benefits, mainly
incapacity benefit.

There are also substantial numbers disqualified from the jobseeker's
allowance.

Men and women who have been "pushed" into premature early retirement are
another important group.

The report shows Glasgow to have the highest rate of real unemployment in
Scotland, at 22%, while Shetland has the lowest, at 4%.

However, a Scotland Office spokesman said: "Our figures use
internationally-agreed methods for calculating unemployment."