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UK unemployment hits 2.69 million (8.4%), highest since January 1996

Friday, January 20th 2012 - 07:58 UTC
Full article 14 comments
Labour leader Ed Milliband said government “was cutting too far and too fast” Labour leader Ed Milliband said government “was cutting too far and too fast”

UK unemployment rose by 118,000 in the three months to November to 2.69 million, official figures show. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) said the unemployment rate also rose to 8.4% from 8.3%, the highest since January 1996.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in December rose by 1.200 to 1.6 million. The number of young people looking for work hit a new record of 1.043m, taking the rate for 16-24 year-olds to 22.3%.

The number of people in employment rose slightly in the three months to November by 18,000 to 29.12 million.

The figures support the picture of a flat UK economy, with other data released on Wednesday showing average weekly earnings, including bonuses, grew at just 1.9%.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said the figures were not good news: “Any increase in unemployment is disappointing and obviously a tragedy for the person who becomes unemployed - that is why we are taking action to get people back to work”.

He pointed to an increase in the number of people in work, to new private sector jobs and a small fall in the long-term unemployed.

But the figures showed the private sector was not compensating for job losses in the public sector, with the private sector creating 5,000 in the period, while 67,000 public sector jobs were lost.

The leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, said the government “was cutting too far and too fast” and accused the prime minister of being “out of touch”, boasting about rising employment.

“Isn't the truth, the defining characteristic of this government, that it stands aside and does nothing as thousands of people find themselves unemployed?” he told the House of Commons.

In Scotland, the number of people out of work rose by 19,000 to 231,000 over the three months to November, giving a jobless rate of 8.6%.

In Wales, unemployment fell by 1,000 in the quarter to 130,000, giving a rate of 8.9%, while in Northern Ireland it fell by 7,000 to 59,000, giving a jobless rate of 6.8%.
 

Categories: Economy, Politics, International.

Top Comments

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  • O gara

    Cameron is in need of conflict.With CFKs policy on the Malvinas upsetting the tories and becoming a cause celebre in the Americas, he will in the best scoundrel position take refuge in patriotism.This will be perfect for Argentina as nothing will.effect Latin American sensibilities more than an old colonial power showing its arrogance against the new realities.

    Jan 20th, 2012 - 08:55 am 0
  • ElaineB

    It will get worse before it gets better but we all know it is necessary. Even the opposition announced this week that they would not change the cuts the government are making. New Labour spent too much money and it is time to redress the situation. It is the sensible route.

    Jan 20th, 2012 - 10:05 am 0
  • geo

    UK unemployment rate ~ 22 %

    UK has highest part-time/total employment rate(25%) behind Holland
    together with Aussie and Ireland in the world.....

    Jan 20th, 2012 - 10:32 am 0
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