Jobless at a 17 year high as women bear brunt
Britain's unemployment rate is the worst since 1995
after the numbers out of work rose to 2.67 million.
The Metro - 16th February
2012
The jobless total jumped by 48,000 in the three months to
December to a rate of 8.4 per cent - the highest figure for 17
years.
Women looking for work as household incomes are squeezed by
inflation made up two thirds of the increase. The number of people
claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 6,900 in January to 1.6
million, the 11th consecutive monthly increase.
There was a 22,000 increase in jobless 16 to 24-year-olds to
1.04 million.
Despite a slight fall in the number of British-born workers in
employment, there was a 5.4 per cent rise in the number of
foreign-born workers to 4.1 million. Total employment increased by
60,000 to 29 million, mainly due to a rise of 90,000 in the number
of part-time employees to 6.6 million.
Job vacancies increased by 11,000 to 476,000, althought this was
21,000 down on a year ago.
The government said the figures showed the labour market was
stabilising. Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud said: 'With
more people in employment and a rise in vacancies, it is clear the
private sector is still creating jobs.
'However, with more people in the labour market, we know that
competition for those jobs is tough.'
Labour and the unions said the figures were a sign that
austerity measures were cutting too deep.