Long-term unemployment back to 1997 figures
In a damning indictment of the make-up of the UK employment market it has been revealed that 787,000 of the UK workforce are now classed as long-term unemployed, having been unable to secure employment for more than 12 months. This is a jump of around 47.5% over the last 12 months and now takes us back to levels not seen since 1997. The situation with regards to the older generation is even worse with more than 50% of over 50s now out of work and again officially classed as long-term unemployed.
Despite the fact that headline UK employment figures fell yesterday we have also seen a significant increase in the number of part-time workers in the UK. It looks as though UK employers are still concerned about the short to medium term outlook for the UK economy with many converting workers to part-time or reducing their hours significantly. So while the headline figures may well give cause for hope, beneath the surface there is a growing number of long-term unemployed which is a major problem for the UK government.
Whether or not this increase in long-term unemployed has anything to do with the benefit system is open to debate with many seemingly better off on benefits as oppose to taking part-time or short-term work contracts. Surely this must change?
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