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Originally published in 1977, this book was written at a time when unemployment figures in Britain were at their highest since the Depression of the 1930s, with 1.5 million people out of work. Beginning with a careful examination of what the unemployment figures do and do not tell, the book argues that official figures underestimated the numbers of unemployed. Discussion then turns to the people who were most likely to be unemployed, the myths about those out of work and the massive checks to prevent people wrongly claiming benefit. Case studies from groups of families in Liverpool illustrate what unemployment means in practice and shows to what extent unemployment leads to poverty while having little effect on rising prices. The author and contributors outline proposals for a policy of returning to full employment, which, they maintained, required the introduction of protectionist economic policies such as import controls: an idea which has found traction again in global 21st century politics.
List of contents
Introduction:
Frank Field 1. Making Sense of the Unemployment Figures
Frank Field 2. Who Are the Unemployed?
Louie Burghes 3. Unemployment and Poverty
Frank Field 4. Control Measures Against Abuse
Frank Field 5. Poverty and Unemployment in Liverpool
Clare Dennehy and
Jill Sullivan 6. The Cost of Unemployment
Louie Burghes and
Frank Field 7. What Price Unemployment?
Chris Pond 8. Causes of Unemployment
Steve Hannah 9. Government Action Against Unemployment
Frank Field and
Stephen Winyard 10. The Return to Full Employment
Frank Field.
About the author
Frank Field (1942-2024) was the most independent-minded member of Parliament of his time, genuinely prepared to stand alone on a number of crucial issues. He was also a devout churchman who was motivated in his politics by that faith, especially in a commitment to the poorest people in society. His commitment in that direction was shown early in his work for the Child Poverty Action Group, which he directed from 1969 to 1979. He was a Member of Parliament for Birkenhead for 40 years.
