Long-term unemployment doubles since Christmas 07
The number of long-term unemployed has more than doubled in the last three years according to analysis by the TUC.
In November 2010, 243,330 people had been out of work for more than a year. For many this will be their second or even third Christmas out of work. The TUC’s analysis of local authority areas reveals that Northern Ireland has seen some of the sharpest increases of long-term unemployment, as have parts of Greater London. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said:
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“Across the country thousands and thousands of people have been struggling to find work – some of them for several years now – and for their families there won’t be much to celebrate this Christmas.
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“While many families with working adults may be tightening their belts a little this Christmas, the thousands of long-term unemployed households will be anxiously juggling their family budgets, knowing only too well that their JSA of £65.45 isn’t going to buy much Christmas cheer this year.”
.A spokesman from DWP countered that the coalition Government is focusing “on restoring the economy and supporting private sector jobs growth.”
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George Grayson
george@yesminister.org.uk
