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Unions plead over long-term jobless
A drop in the jobless rate has been overshadowed by a rise in the number of long-term unemployed, prompting unions to call on the Government for more action to kickstart a recovery in the labour market.
Unemployment figures fell in the three months to April, although jobseeker's allowance claimant numbers were up
A drop in the jobless rate has been overshadowed by a rise in the number of long-term unemployed, prompting unions to call on the Government for more action to kickstart a recovery in the labour market.
The jobless total dropped 51,000 to 2.61 million in the quarter to April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, but the number of people unemployed for more than a year increased by 85,000 to 886,000.
In addition, the number of people unemployed for more than two years rose 29,000 to 434,000, while the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in May rose by 8,100 to 1.6 million, ending two months of declines.
Unison leader Dave Prentis said: "The figures shine a harsh light on the hard-core of the unemployment crisis in the UK - that of long-term unemployment.
"The number of people unemployed for more than two years continues to rise. We know that the longer someone is out of work, the more difficult it is to get back into it."
He added: "The reality is that many people are suffering as a result of stagnant growth and the brutal public sector cuts, and the Government needs to wake up to this and take action if we are to see any true signs of recovery."
However, the number of people in work saw its biggest increase since the quarter to August 2010 as the employment rate increased by 166,000 to almost 29.28 million - nearly equally split between full and part-time workers.
Almost eight million people are now in a part-time job, while those working part-time because they cannot find full-time work increased by 25,000 to 1.4 million.
Self-employment has reached a record figure of 4.17 million, up by 84,000 since the previous quarter.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: "Any fall in unemployment is very welcome but I remain cautious over the next few months, given the continuing economic challenges we face."
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14Comments
20/06/2012 12:09
20/06/2012 11:41
To those people who is old enough to remember,weve seen this all before and it happened when the tories were in government then.The 80s are coming back,wait untill you see whats gonna happen to the N.H.S????? the country is in for a shock,and repossesed houses again...........its coming!!!!!!!!!!
20/06/2012 13:09
The reason that more people are on the dole is due to the large numbers of people who are being unfairly removed from the incapacity benefit and being placed back onto the dole. Whilst I agree with everybody in this land that some people are claiming Incapacity Benefit who don't need it or don't merit it e.g. due to drinks and alcohol abuse which is a self-inflicted illness where people have a choice (honest disabled people don't have any choice.....they can't help being ill or having a condition which prevents them from working!!). The panels who are interviewing and examining IB claimants are only paid for every person they put back on the employment market and they are being totally over zealous with the rules regarding disability, its meaning and effects. They are also trying to catch people out by asking stupid questions which are inappropriate as to deciding whether a person is incapable of working whether suffering from a disabling condition or not. This means that many people are unfairly having their benefits money reduced or are having to join an ever increasingly long appeals queue to try and have their payments returned to the correct levels. This queue for appeals is on average a minimum of 12 months across the country at any time - this is a long time to wait especially when already on a low income or without savings. This all from a government who saw that this was the easiest benefit to target, yet immigrants come here and claim Unemployment Benefit and Housing Benefit and all the other benefits that 'do gooders' tell them that they can claim. Child benefit is being paid to working in this country who's children do not reside in the UK and we do not charge tourists or immigrants for any treatment under the NHS when even us Brits that are supposedly in the EU still ahve to claim on travel insurance to even get a plaster or bandage put on a scratch. Now maybe someone from the Govt can explain to us all why the Dole queues are going up without all the bulls..t and waffling behind it!!
20/06/2012 13:47
Unemployment figures may appear to be reduced - statistics can be misleading.
The days when you could get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work are long gone.
Trade Unions are no longer effective and can offer no protection from unscrupulous employers.
The ridiculous differentials in pay scales and the laughable logic influencing the distribution of wealth in this country will rock the stability of the country.
The system, as it stands, will ensure 'the good life' for a privileged few and condemn the majority to struggle to make ends meet.
There is a finite amount of wealth in this country and whenever a fat cat takes more than his fair share it must be realised that someone else will have to pay for it. Hence, growing dole queues or the prospect of employment offering minimum wages.
On the bright side we have a Prime Minister of great integrity heading our compassionate government so perhaps things aren't as bleak as they appear!
20/06/2012 11:31
20/06/2012 15:11
20/06/2012 13:00
20/06/2012 14:44
20/06/2012 13:00
20/06/2012 16:42
The Government unemployment figures are about as acurate as the decisions made by that other government agency Athos. The bonus paid so called health professionals responsible for deciding whether or not a person is fit to work and hence whether or not a person receives employment and support allowance. A friend of mine has just received a letter informing her that her employment and support allowance has been stopped and declaring her fit to work. This one day before pre arranged tests showed her to be suffering from cancer. In my opinion the person responsible for declaring her fit for work should be summarily dismissed from their job on the grounds of incompetence. The simple truth of the matter is that the current government have absolutely no regard for peoples welfare whatsoever. The only thing they will be interested in doing is standing in front of a television camera prior to the next election crowing about how much money they have saved the country whilst they have been in power. Trust government figures? They couldn't lie straight in bed!
20/06/2012 15:53
20/06/2012 13:09
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