UK unemployment higher than before recession says TUC
14 July 2014
UK unemployment rates and joblessness levels are higher today than they were before the recession across all working age groups, suggesting that the economy is still less healthy than it was before the recession, the TUC claims.
Mon 14 Jul 2014UK unemployment rates and joblessness levels are higher today than they were before the recession across all working age groups, suggesting that the economy is still less healthy than it was before the recession, the TUC claims.
The warning comes ahead of the publication of the newest jobs figures later this week.
Half a million more people were unemployed in January-March 2014 (the latest available figures), compared to January-March 2008, according to an analysis of official figures by the TUC.
Yorkshire and Humberside has the biggest jobs gap, with almost 100,000 more unemployed people today than before the recession while across Northern Ireland, unemployment is currently running at 6.9%, compared to six years ago when it was 4.1%.
The biggest unemployment gap by age group is among young people, with the number of unemployed 16-24-year-olds 167,000 higher than six years ago. In the West Midlands for example, there are currently 20,000 more young people out of work than there were six years ago.
In most parts of the UK, the jobs gaps for young people are higher than for any other age group.
Unemployment levels are only lower now than six years ago among 16-24-year-olds in the East Midlands and 35-49-year-olds in Wales.
Much of the debate around unemployment has been about the rate falling below 7% – the trigger set by the Bank of England for possible interest rate rises. However, with over two million people still out of work – half a million higher than before the recession – and many more under-employed it remains far too early for the Bank of England to be considering an interest rate rise, says the TUC.
The number of unemployed people across the UK is still far in excess of pre-recession levels, in spite of the recent upturn in the jobs market, says the TUC.
While the size of the economy is likely to return to pre-recession levels soon, unemployment levels are recovering much more slowly and the analysis shows that more needs to be done to get people back into work.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady says: “In some parts of the UK, unemployment is 50% higher than it was before the recession. The talk in the City and around Westminster may be about a fast-growing economy but the recovery still feels a good way off for millions of people still desperate for work across the rest of the country.”
The warning comes ahead of the publication of the newest jobs figures later this week.
Half a million more people were unemployed in January-March 2014 (the latest available figures), compared to January-March 2008, according to an analysis of official figures by the TUC.
Yorkshire and Humberside has the biggest jobs gap, with almost 100,000 more unemployed people today than before the recession while across Northern Ireland, unemployment is currently running at 6.9%, compared to six years ago when it was 4.1%.
The biggest unemployment gap by age group is among young people, with the number of unemployed 16-24-year-olds 167,000 higher than six years ago. In the West Midlands for example, there are currently 20,000 more young people out of work than there were six years ago.
In most parts of the UK, the jobs gaps for young people are higher than for any other age group.
Unemployment levels are only lower now than six years ago among 16-24-year-olds in the East Midlands and 35-49-year-olds in Wales.
Much of the debate around unemployment has been about the rate falling below 7% – the trigger set by the Bank of England for possible interest rate rises. However, with over two million people still out of work – half a million higher than before the recession – and many more under-employed it remains far too early for the Bank of England to be considering an interest rate rise, says the TUC.
The number of unemployed people across the UK is still far in excess of pre-recession levels, in spite of the recent upturn in the jobs market, says the TUC.
While the size of the economy is likely to return to pre-recession levels soon, unemployment levels are recovering much more slowly and the analysis shows that more needs to be done to get people back into work.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady says: “In some parts of the UK, unemployment is 50% higher than it was before the recession. The talk in the City and around Westminster may be about a fast-growing economy but the recovery still feels a good way off for millions of people still desperate for work across the rest of the country.”
