As if all governments didn't fix the stats. Unemployment is an issue, if you can't fix the issue, fix the perception thereof. And they try.
You forgot the "education wheeze" - send 'em on courses, they are not then unemployed. Put them on "pension credits" because no-one will employ them if they are within 5 years of retirement (ie not unemployed) but other rules still apply. Pension credits when they have already got their full quota of pension credits!
Add in a few more wheezes like work experience.