UK unemployment rate falls marginally
UK unemployment rate falls marginally
Wednesday 20th January 2010
The number of people unemployed in the UK fell by 7,000 from September to November, the first quarterly fall since May 2008.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show unemployment for the quarter standing at 2.46 million, while the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (the claimant count) in December 2009 fell by 15,200 to reach 1.61 million.
However, figures also out today showed almost half of young black people, aged between 16 and 24, in Britain are now unemployed. The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) revealed unemployment amongst young black people leapt 13 per cent since the recession began and now stands at over twice the rate among white young people. _
The official ONS figures released on Wednesday show the number of people unemployed for more than 12 months increased by 29,000 over the September to November quarter, to reach 631,000; the highest figure since the three months to November 1997.
The figures also showed that average total pay (including bonuses) was £451 per week in November 2009, and in the three months to November 2009 total pay rose by 0.7 per cent on a year earlier.
Howard Archer chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight commented following the figures: "Despite claimant count unemployment falling by a total of 26,000 in November and December, we suspect that it is premature to celebrate the end of rising unemployment.
"This suspicion is reinforced by the fact that full-time employment still fell appreciably in the three months to November."
Yesterday unions raised concerns that the successful takeover of British firm Cadbury to US food giant Kraft could signal more job losses.
Jennie Formby, Unite's national officer for food and drink, said: "Whatever good intentions Kraft may have towards Cadbury's workforce, the sad truth is there will be an irresistible imperative to pay down their debt, and this raises real fears for jobs and investment in this country.
"We will now be seeking urgent meetings with the senior management of both Kraft and Cadbury looking for guarantees over jobs and sites in the UK and Ireland to put our members' fears at rest."
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