721,143 without jobs in U.K.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 17

721,143 without jobs in U.K.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, February 19. Britain’s total of jobless workers has soared to its highest for eight years as the first effects of the Rolls-Royce crisis and the postal strike have begun to Bite into industry, according to official statistics announced yesterday.

The Department of Employment and Productivity said that on February 8 there were 721,143 unemployedl—--3.1 per cent of the nation’s work force.

This was 30,806 more than a month earlier.

Official spokesmen said that the big increase was largely caused by a rise in the number of workers temporarily out of jobs. They alone

numbered more than 37,000 16,000 more than a month ago.

It is thought in Government circles that the majority of these temporarily workless were the first victims of the Rolls-Royce crisis which has hit not only Rolls-Royce itself but also a great many of its supplier companies, while some are staff of mail order firms who have been laid off because the postal strike—now in its fifth week—has virtually closed their business.

Apart from these exceptional cases, however, the number of people wholly unemployed still went up during the month by more than 10,000. January and February always show an increase, but normally it is only about 700.