Another 140 join Plymouth dole queue as unemployment reaches 6,278
PLYMOUTH saw another hike in the number of people on the dole last month, official figures show.
The city's jobless total rose by more 140, from 6,136 in January to 6,278 in February.
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Unemployment in Plymouth rises again in February
However, this is still down on the 7,050 claimants recorded for the same month last year.
But surrounding areas saw falls on the month.
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In Cornwall the claimant count dropped from 10,609 to 10,462, and in South Hams the number of people on Jobseekers Allowance fell slightly from 778 to 762.
Unemployment across the South West rose by 1,000 to 156,000 in the quarter to December, giving a jobless rate of 5.8 per cent, which remains the lowest in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Nationally, unemployment has increased for the first time in a year, delivering a pre-Budget blow to the Government.
The jobless total jumped by 7,000 to 2.52 million, ending a run of reductions, with all the increase caused by more 18 to 24-year-olds becoming unemployed.
The total is still 152,000 lower than a year ago, while the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance fell in February by 1,500 to 1.54 million, the fourth consecutive monthly reduction.
There were 993,000 jobless 16 to 24-year-olds in the latest quarter to January, up by 48,000 from the three months to October, but the rise among 18 to 24-year-olds was 53,000.
The number of unemployed women increased by 5,000, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics showed.
Other figures revealed that public sector employment fell for the 13th consecutive quarter, by 20,000 to 5.7 million, the lowest for over a decade.
Employment in private companies increased by 151,000 to 24 million.
The number of people out of work for between six and 12 months increased by 5,000 to 447,000, but fell by 16,000 for those unemployed for over a year to 887,000.
There were 29.7 million people in work, up by 590,000 on a year ago.
Employment Minister Mark Hoban said: "It's a credit to businesses that the private sector is employing one and a quarter million more people than when this Government took office, helping us compete in the global race.
"There are still tough challenges ahead which is why we're working hard to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspiration of finding a job."
Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison union, said: "This time five years ago there were one million fewer unemployed people in the UK. The Government has failed every single one of these people - and it has failed our country."
5 Comments
by bongaloo
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:03PM
“More people on the dole while funding gets cut by Plymouth City Council and central government for local organisations that help people who are on benefits to find work, never mind the organisations are actually saving the council X amount of money in housing benefits...”
by DoNotBook
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 4:06PM
“Much like your name suggests it appears you have dodged a bullet there ricochet, with your pro-strike stance.
I'm all for strikes myself too, I admire the spirit, I applaud the stance against the man, I yearn for fellow colleagues to stand shoulder to shoulder sharing rizla and cutter's choice as the traffic queues on Exeter street.
However I feel as my previous post suggests, there is a certain irony at these cretins standing outside a public purse funded institution, asking for better employment terms. When those you deal with aren't so lucky to receive a manila envelope at the end of the month!
To quote another great mind of the 60's akin to your Malcolm X reference:
"There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls"
However a battle with against an employer, stood on the picket line, when your vocation is to find your 'customers' work, is somewhat distasteful.
As for 16-24 year olds, an area of expertise for me my friend. Keep your ears pealed and your keen eye focused upon future announcements from the SFA with reference to us 16-24 y.o's.
You may soon see that the times they are a-changin'”
by haunt
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 4:00PM
“public sector maybe, but those shmucks in the job centre,really?”
by Rick_OShay
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:54PM
“DoNotBook
If people don't stand for something they will fall for anything - as you appear to have done.
I'm in full support of the public sector strikes, the figures above show clearly what is going on, people are being shifted from stable full time employment (generally public sector) to short term part time work in the private sector.
The real scandal though is that almost 1 million 16-24 year olds are now unemployed, something that the employment minister has conveniently ignored. This is turning into a lost generation, our political leaders should be ashamed of themselves.
Rick O'Shay
Zog”
by DoNotBook
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:30PM
“I find it somewhat ironic that many of the staff at The Job Centre are on strike today, when many of thier customers would sacrifice a fair amount just to be in employment.
An awful shower they are too, standing outside with thier high viz vests smoking thier roll ups.
Thier dishevelled state reminds me of Ron in his glass cage of emotion, however non of these 'advisors' will have a happy ending at the birth of a baby panda!
What do we want?
An improvement on one of the best pensions availalbe in this recession hit climate!
When do we want it?
Now!”