Hidden unemployment among men: a case study

The debate about the extent of hidden unemployment is central to understanding the contemporary UK labour market. This paper provides a detailed case study of one area - Barrow-in-Furness - where major industrial job losses have co-existed with falling claimant unemployment among men. Using aggregate statistics and new survey evidence, it argues that these trends mask extensive hidden unemployment, especially among men on sickness-related benefits. Comparisons are also made with areas covered by similar surveys. The paper concludes that the claimant and International Labour Organization measures of unemployment both appear deeply flawed in the UK context because of the diversion from unemployment to sickness benefits.