Figures for the number of jobs in Slough in 2003 have only recently been released. They do not make comfortable reading. Although up on five years ago, total employment in Slough was down on 2000. The figures for 2003 are:
Thousands % of total % change on 2000
Male, full-time 37 50 -12.6
Male, part-time 5 6 -8.3
Female, full-time 21 28 -0.3
Female, part-time 12 16 +5.8
TOTAL 74 100 -6.5
Only women and girls working part-time have increased, showing some sign of catching up with the national average for 24 % of the workforce to be female part-timers. The decline in men working full-time includes a 28% decline in manufacturing industry, which now accounts for only 15 % of all jobs in Slough – less than in either retailing and other distribution or property.
Now my best guess is that allowing for residents who commute out daily, very nearly half of those who work in Slough travel in daily. So is it residents or outsiders who have lost jobs? Well, the National Statistics Office also conducts a quarterly "Labour Force Survey". This is a sample survey based on residence. It shows 47 thousand Slough people were employees in 1998. This total rises to a peak of 56 thousand in 2002 and then eases to 52 thousand in 2003 and only 48 thousand last year. These figures are consistent with the already charted rise in Slough people claiming unemployment benefits since 2002. Job cuts at Mars will be coming at a very bad time.