Presented by Eric Robson
For those in work, life has never been better. Living standards are rising and record numbers are booking holidays abroad. For those out of work, prospects have not been bleaker since the 30s. Jobs are getting harder to find and some benefit payments have been reduced. This special programme examines the real divisions and the attitudes that separate the 20 million with work and the three million without it.
From the industrial north-west, David Henshaw reports on how ' proud Preston' is losing its prosperous image, and sliding towards a two-nation town. And in the studio, the people of Preston get the chance to question top representatives of industry, trade unions and politics. With 1,000 new jobs a day needed between now and 1985, just to reduce the dole queues to two million, can we ever get back to full employment? If not, how can a society built on the expectation of work cope with the strains? A specially commissioned opinion poll reveals how much the working nation is prepared to sacrifice to support those who are denied jobs.
Assistant producer CLAIRE walmslet Producers BRIAN JAMES , CHRIS OXLEY Editor COLIN ADAMS BBC Manchester