Unemployment in Sunderland

Abstract

The close relationship between the percentage unemployment in Sunderland and in Great Britain is demonstrated and some explanations offered. The specific performance of the main heavy industries in Sunderland, shipbuilding and heavy engineering, is unlikely to be the main cause of the problem. The explanations offered are contrary to the views of the International Labour Office (1962) and A.J. Brown (1972) Eight identifiable reasons are offered, with a possible ninth. Following Cameron (1971) one reason is the relative technical inefficiency of manufacturing plants, a cause which cannot be removed without more specific regional policy than exists at present. The very limited effect ofpast policy on Sunderland is demonstrated. The strong link between low educational achievement and high unemployment is shown and the need for a different approach to education in Sunderland is emphasised.