Unemployment up by 118,000 but JSA claimant less than expected.
The Office for National Statistics has published the latest employment figures showing 2.69 million people were ILO unemployed in the September to November quarter, up by 118,000 on the June to August period
Inactivity fell by 61,000 on the quarter and the rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 23.1%. Meanwhile, the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance rose by 1,200 in December 2011 to 1.6 million. This is, however, less than the 10,000 expected.
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Today’s figures show a fall in youth unemployment reflecting the numbers in full-time education. Full-time students now account for 30% of all those unemployed between the ages of 16 and 24. The number of 16 to 24-year-olds who have left full-time education and are seeking work is 729,000. The number of full-time students looking for a job rose 44,000 to 313,000.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling has responded to these latest figures:
“The overall level of unemployment is, and will remain, a major concern for the Government. The latest figures reflect the current challenging economic climate but also show more women entering the workforce and more students looking to supplement their income through work. When you take into account our welfare reforms the number of Jobseeker Allowance claimants has actually fallen.
“Despite the exceptionally difficult economic circumstances, finding work for the unemployed will remain top of the Government’s agenda.”
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Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support
