In the mid-1990s the Census Office released for the first time 1% and 2% Samples of Anonymised Records (SARs) from the 1991 British Census. This pathbreaking study presents the results of the first analysis of labour market data from the new SARs, drawing comparisons with research results for the USA and other Western European countries.

The author describes a distinctive, new category of integrated occupations, employing men and women equally in highly qualified work; the diversification of part-time work; the emergence of a new category of marginal jobs; and the expansion of student jobs. Fresh insight is offered into the pay gap, social stratification, occupational differences in labour mobility, current trends in homework, travel to work patterns, self-employment and small firm creation, and the impact of housing choice on female workrates.

The book presents a case-study of pharmacists to illustrate these developments as well as an excellent introductory guide for future SAR users - warning them of pitfalls in the data, as well as pointing out advantages to be exploited.