The use of denominators in measuring local and long-term unemployment rates Long term unemployment statistics and workforce statistics for local areas mislead because they fail to identify the population at risk. This presentation will review developments in ONS Labour Market Statistics since the improvements launched in April 1998. User feedback received in the 1999 review of the First Releases have led to reconciliation of indicators from different data sources, including those relating to unemployment. The presentation will review the developments in small area Labour Market Statistics since April 1998, and briefly cover the current work programme. No single source provides a precise measure of the true level or make-up of low pay.
Estimates differ markedly between different surveys.
The New Earnings Survey and the Labour Force Survey are considered the primary sources of information for this purpose, but ONS continues to investigate how they can be better used. A new Council Regulation in March '98 proposed a continuous LFS, specified a common reference period and weighting procedure. The presentation will emphasise the need for a common interpretation and greater harmonisation as well as the operational definition adopted in March this year. This message has been forwarded with permission.