UK jobless total to reach 3.4 million
A number of forecasters have revisited their jobless figures for 2009 with many revising their figures higher. The general consensus seems to have moved substantially upwards with many forecasting the UK jobless total to peak at 3.4 million in 2009. As we await jobless figures this week it will be interesting to see the extent to which the UK slowdown is being translated into the jobs market and the potential for the future.
There has also been some debate about immigrant workers in the UK and despite a number of comments the UK government has been unable to enforce its "British jobs for British workers" promise of some time ago. However, as we approach the next general election in 2010 it would seem inevitable that the UK authorities will do all that they can to curry favour with voters and ensure they have a fighting chance when "D-Day" comes.
However, if they are unable to contain the unemployment figure and it rises significantly above 3.4 million in 2009 this will leave the government in a very difficult situation. How could they promise voters that they will fix the UK economy at a time when unemployment continues to rise, the property market is unlikely to have recovered and more and more people in the UK are on the way to significant financial trouble?
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