IS THERE A BRITISH UNDERCLASS

This paper begins by noting the rise of interest in the concept of the underclass, and its application in British sociology to a set of ques tions rather different from those addressed in American debates. An ac count of the British concern to locate the understanding of unemployme nt more firmly in the tradition of class analysis is given, and follow ed by an empirical study of unemployment and underemployment in the no rth-east of England. When brought to bear on this data the concept of the underclass is shown to be inadequate to address the complexities r evealed by a detailed study of labour market dynamics, recruitment and job search. The term is judged to be an oversimplification, contamina ted by its use as political rhetoric, and too readily applied to compl ex social phenomena.