London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bromley 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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"The following figures illustrate the rise and fall of unemployment in the area of Bromley Employment Exchange during 1953. as compared with the corresponding period in 1952:—
| 1953. | Men. | Women. | 1952. | Men. | Women. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12th January | 234 | 84 | 14th January | 156 | 87 |
| 13th April | 106 | 89 | 21st April | 106 | 82 |
| 13th July | 54 | 63 | 14th July | 87 | 78 |
| 12th October | 99 | 95 | 13th October | 132 | 115 |
| 7th December | 118 | 64 | 8th December | 158 | 80 |
With the exception of the period at the commencement of the
year when unemployment among Painters was high, unemployment
has remained at a low level throughout the year and the customary
rise in the last quarter of the year has been to a less marked degree
than previously. Unemployment has not been so heavy during the
last quarter among Painters, which may be due to either the
exceptional mild weather during November and December or to
the campaign to encourage employers and the public to spread
decorating work more evenly throughout the year or possibly to a
combination of both factors. Although one of Bromley's few
factories (Viscose Development Company) transferred production
to its Swansea establishment during the year, displacing about 60
workers, all these workers—excepting two—were absorbed into
other industries with a minimum of unemployment. The percentage
of unemployment in the area has remained well below the
national figure of 1.4 throughout the year.
Unemployment among men is. in the main, confined to the
older or physically handicapped worker. Of the number registered
on 7th December. 93 were over 40 years of age and 57 of these were
55 and over, whilst 43 of the men registered were disabled persons.
Unemployment among women has remained at a low level with
a customary rise during October mainly from women with domestic
responsibilities who return to the employment field for a short
period, or others on completion of seasonal employment at holiday
resorts. Of the number registered as unemployed on 7th December.
20 were over 40 years of age, 13 of these being 50 and over. Nine
of the women registered are disabled persons.
Bromley is mainly a residential area with very little industry
apart from the distributive trades and the unemployment position
is therefore, to a considerable extent, dependent upon the industrial
position in other areas. During the 12 months ending 18th November,
1953, 1.729 men and 1.571 women have been placed by this
office into employment, a total of 3,300 which indicates an
appreciable turnover of labour as compared with the amount of
unemployment in the area."