3
spinning, weaving and finishing showing much higher totals than for a
g time back.
Throughout 1969 and 1970 the unemployment figures in the tradition- al sectors of the cotton and allied industries remained constant from month to month, the lowest return being in June, 1969, when barely 2,000 were out of work, while the peak in those two years was in September 1970 when the figure reached nearly 3,200. At that point, however, the total unemployment in the North-West was about 85,000 - comparable figures this year are much higher, as is shown in the fol- lowing table:-
1969
N.W.
Spinning
Weaving
Finishing
Total
Region
Jan
998
732
497
2,227
74,885
June
957
627
484
2,068
66,562
1970
Jan
1,014
700
638
2,352
79,844
June
1,005
·965
529
2,499
73;494
Sept
1,290
1,178
723
3,191
85,744
1971
Jan
1,263
1,260
665
3,188
93; 115
Feb
2,242
1,382
806
4,430
102,226
Mar
2,295
2;313
958
5,566
106,256
Apl
3.760
2,088
960
6,808
109,578
May
3,233
2,060
949
6,242
108,792
June
2,366
1;457
903
4,726
104; 358
July
4,040
1; 879
943
6,862
116,668
Aug
5,263
2,268
936
8,467
132,229
From the latest returns it can be seen that the numbers out of work in spinning, weaving and finishing are now nearly four times as much as the average during 1969/70, while the regional total is just double compared with mid-1969.
Within the sections, however, the big rise in unemployment in spinning this year has drawn attention to the change in the position of the yarn producing branch which has only lately felt the full force of the depression. Up to that point its ability to dispose of its products to non-weaving consumers helped to alleviate the position but the subsequent dearth of demand has resulted in the laying off of operatives and more permanent closures.
VARIABLE PRICE FACTORS
One of the biggest stumbling blocks facing spinners lately has been their inability to cover the major advances in raw cotton prices and obtain adequate margins on any business which develops. Several compan- ics which have indicated their intention of closing down have made this point sharply as one of the reasons for their decision.
The only official figures relating to the trend of prices of various textile products and their raw materials are derived from the tables issued by the Department of Trade & Industry, their basis being 100 as the annual average price in 1963. The following comparative figures showing the movements during the past year are extracted from these returns:-
1970
1971
July
Dec.
Apr.
July
Aug.
Raw cotton
107.5
112.8
115.2
122.0
126.5
Man-made fibres
90.9
90.9
92.8
92.6
92.6
Cotton yarn
143.7
147.5
148,0 156.4
Man-made fibre yarn
110.9
112.0
114.9 117.7
117.7
Cotton cloth
145.8
148.0
150.1 154.8
Man-made fibre cloth
114.9
115.9
117.2 120.9
120.9
Hosiery and knitwear
99.2
100.2
100.8 100.9
101.2
Clothing
114.8
119.3
120.9
121.7
121.9
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.