16/09/2009

Three Million On Dole Next Year

Unemployment across the UK is likely to reach three million in 2010, and could go higher.

Already, the number of people out of work has risen to its highest level in 14 years, official figures have shown.

Unemployment increased by 210,000 to 2.47m in the three months to July, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Claims for unemployment benefit in August grew by 24,400 from July to 1.61m, the highest since May 1997.

In counterpoint to signs the UK economy is beginning to pick up, jobless data still makes grim reading.

The number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work rose from 928,000 to 947,000 - edging closer to the landmark of one million and adding to fears of a new "lost generation" of young people.

The jobless rate among this age group is at record 19.7% - the highest since records began - meaning one in five is looking for work.

The level of unemployment is now at its highest since May 2005.

Government spending to aid the economy boosted employment in the public sector by 13,000 in the three months to June, the figures showed, but that contrasted with a 230,000 fall in private sector workers over the same period, the ONS said.

There are fears that cuts in spending aimed at tackling the huge budget deficit will lead to job losses in the public sector.

(BMcC/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 June 2009
Unemployment Levels Reach 12-Year High
Unemployment levels in the UK have risen by 232,000 to 2.26 million in the three months to April - the highest level in more than 12 years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also said the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance increased by 39,300 in May to 1.
16 November 2011
Gov 'Failing the Nation' As Jobless Hits 2.62M
The coalition Government has been accused of "failing the nation" after unemployment figures released on Wednesday revealed another 129,000 are out of work. UK unemployment rose again in the three months to September to 2.
12 November 2008
Unemployment Highest In Over A Decade
Unemployment has risen by 140,000 to 1.82 million - the highest rate in 11 years, according to grim figures released today. The Office for National Statistics figures also revealed the number of people claiming Jobseeker's allowance last month increased by 36,500 to 980,900. This is the highest monthly increase since 1992.
16 November 2005
Little change in UK's unemployment rate
The latest UK unemployment figures have revealed little change in the number of people out of work. The ILO unemployment rate was 4.7%, unchanged on the same period last year and around the lowest figure seen for 30 years. According to the ONS figures, there are 28.8 million people in work in June to August 2005, more than ever before - and 74.
19 March 2014
Highest Number Of People Working Since 1971
Official government figures shows the highest number of people in work since 1971, after a 63.000 drop in unemployment in the last quarter to 2.33 million. This number is expected to give the government a Budget boost with more than 450.000 people employed compared a year ago. Bring the total to over 30.