Official figures released by the Office of National Statistics, shows that UK unemployment rose to above 2 million for the first time in 12 years. The rate of unemployment was up 165,000 from November to January taking the total figure to 2.03 million.
The number of individuals claiming jobseekers allowance also shot up by a record 138,000 taking it to 1.39 million. This news comes after the TUC (Trades Union Congress) stated that there are now 10 people chasing every vacancy in UK jobcentres.
The ONS also said that the unemployment rate jumped to 6.5% in the three months to January, with many analysts suggesting that the figure could reach over 3 million by next year.
On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund predicted that the recession in the UK would last longer than any of the other major economies, warning that the economy would continue to contract into 2010.
2 Responses
Not a good sign, but i have heard honda are starting to lay people off.
Posted on March 24th, 2009 at 3:12 am
I think unemployment varies from region to region Yorkshire seems to be doing ok at the moment
Posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
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