London suffers as total of jobless rises sharply

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

London was particularly badly hit with job losses in the high street and City.

The sharp rise, one of the worst monthly figures on record, put the number claiming jobseeker's allowance at well over a million. It was expected to take the overall people out of work over the two million mark. Analysts warn that the jobless total could soar to 3.4 million by 2011.

A snapshot of weakening confidence in the capital came when the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that only half of businesses are certain they will survive the downturn.

John Philpott, of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said today: "We are now in the dark days of the recession. In all probability by the end of the year, one in 10 people will be jobless."

He warned that falling inflation was also putting pressure on wages, adding: "If you are looking for a job, things are difficult. If you are in a job, you may be fearing that you will lose it.

"If you are in a job, don't look forward to a big pay rise this year."

The jobs figures were being released as a report was published claiming women will be hardest hit by the recession because more are in work and jobs are being lost across the economy rather than in male-dominated sectors.

The study by the TUC showed that more households depend on a woman's wage today than in previous economic downturns, while women earn more than men in a fifth of couples.