Unemployment - On the rise
WORKERS, DEC 2007 ISSUE
Figures released by the government indicate a rise in unemployment of some 7,000 people in October, bringing the official number of unemployed in Britain to 1.7 million people.
The employment statistics have been dubious throughout 2007. On the one hand the government claims that in January 2007 the figure was 1.6 million unemployed and that there has been a creeping increase. On the other hand they claim the greatest number employed in Britain – over 28 million workers.
This is coupled with the huge number of economic migrants – over 1 million – during the last 12 months.
Unemployment traditionally dips before Christmas as seasonal employment increases; a rise at this time bucks the trend and is therefore particularly worrying.
In addition to the official analysis there still stands research from the University of Sheffield published during the summer which indicates that a further 1 million hidden (by incapacity and other benefits) unemployed are still masked by government statistics.
Most of these are to be found in the traditional heavy industrial areas – steel, coal and textiles in the North and other shattered industrial areas.
If the figures of carers, the retired but looking for work, benefits claimants etc are taken together, a figure nearer 5 million people affected what the government calls "worklessness" starts to emerge – not the 1.7 "official" figure. 28 million people may be in work but a further 1 in 6 would like to be.