The study examines the incomes in and out of work and labour market experiences of newly unemployed men and women. The main objectives of the survey were to: i) obtain information on the income replacement ratios of the unemployed. ii) find out about the social and unemployment characteristics of people becoming unemployed iii) look at the effects of benefits on unemployment durations iv) explore factors people take into account when considering employment and benefit options v) compare people becoming unemployed in 1987 with those who became unemployed in 1978, as well as establishing a benchmark for the future The study is a repeat of an earlier cohort study on unemployment carried out in 1978, although that study did not include women. (See SN:1795 <i>Cohort Study of Long Term Unemployed Men</i>). Much of the information collected in 1987 updates the earlier 1978 study information. Characteristics of the unemployed; work histories prior to and after signing on; incomes in and out of work; jobsearch; Government schemes and training; attitudes to work and being unemployed; labour market data.