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Unemployment in the UK rose to the highest level since 1997 in the three months to May, hitting 2.38 million.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics today show the biggest quarterly increase in joblessness since records began in 1971. The proportion of unemployed Britons now stands at 7.6%, overshooting economists' expectations of a 7.4% rise.
However, separate figures also published today showed that the number of people joining the dole queue in June was less than expected. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that there were 23,800 extra claimants of unemployment benefit last month. Economists had predicted an increase of 41,000.
Analysts said that jobless figures will stay high for soem time. Vicky Redwood, of Capital Economics, said: “We doubt that unemployment will start falling again until GDP growth has got back towards its trend rate — and that is unlikely to happen for a long time yet.”
The latest data is bad news for Gordon Brown, according to Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors. He said: “Unfortunately for the government, unemployment will peak at three million plus just before the next General Election in 2010.”
Reader views (17)
Calm down everyone, Keith Price is correct.
This is a blip, as unemloyment will skyrocket when deflation really takes hold.
Thanks Gordon Brown and Labour!
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 15/07/2009 22:10
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This is a mere blip. Well done Gordon Brown, you are doing a great job!!
- Keith Price, Luton, 15/07/2009 21:10
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The HOME Secretary ALAN JOHNSON ,states that he will NOT put a curb on Immigration and does not lose sleep over the fact that the population could climb to over 70 million.
So I think the unemployment figures will continue to rise steeply for a long time.
Although on continued immigration, I think the people of England should be asked if that is what they want.
- Ezza, lancashire, ENGLAND, 15/07/2009 21:10
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At least the numbers of those unemployed were not a deliberate ploy by this Government,like they were under Thatchers reign.
- Henry Houseman, London, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Remember the Tory adverts of 1979?
"Labour isn't working."
Then again they never did!
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 15/07/2009 21:10
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This is a mere blip. Well done Gordon Brown, you are doing a great job!!
- Keith Price, Luton
Another neo-marxist, still living in a world of delusional denial.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Brown is heeping inflation well under control, and that is what really counts
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Now this is comedy...
"This is a mere blip. Well done Gordon Brown, you are doing a great job!!
- Keith Price, Luton"
You must be off your rocker if you seriously think El Gordo is doing a good job. A good job at employing a scorched earth policy perhaps. The man is a liability, he needs to be removed quick smart!
- M, London, 15/07/2009 21:10
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I would be really interested to see the split between Scotland and England, a further split between men and women and split between people with UK born grand parents and the rest.
Any bets that the majority out of work are white, English, middle-class men ?
- Jimmy, London, 15/07/2009 21:10
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And 1,650.00, yes 1,650.00 a DAY coming to our shores to stay. We are doomed, doomed.
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Well its go a fair bit to go up yet I reckon - I've said it here before many times - wait till all those graduates and school leavers sign on - but then the Govt has probably got a route to squirrel those away under another statistics blanket - lets face it the "true" number has probably passed the 3 million mark already, take out any seasonal working staff in agriculture over the autumn and then downsizing retail after Christmas (and I bet this year will be a shocker) by feb next year unemployment will easily hit 4 million, IMHO
- Wallytrader, London, 15/07/2009 21:10
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What ha happened to all the government initiatives announced in a fanfare of publicity by Gordon Brown? Nothing. It was all talk to fool us.
- Simon Ellis, London E8, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Hmmm 1971 when Ted Heath had inherited the mess left by Harold Wilson. It always ends in high spending, unemployment, and taxes with labour.
- Edward, Geneva, Switzerland, 15/07/2009 21:10
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I think you'll find that unemployment figures are closer to the 4 million mark they seem to be discounting the the folk who are unable to claim benefit, that country is a joke the laughing stock of the rest of the world, I'm so glad i no longer live there
- Viktor, USA cHICAGO, 15/07/2009 21:10
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I work in France and recently returned to the UK for a break, my first visit since Christmas. It really hit me how bad things are. It isn't so much the poverty and the unemployment which is obvious in the UK - all you have to do is walk around any city centre and that hits you square in the face. It is also the disgusting litter everywhere, the drunken youths and the terrible transport system. The UK is in a shocking state.
- Richard, Lyon, France, 15/07/2009 21:10
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Well this is the reality of our materialistic attitudes over the past few years. Can I or you really heap the blame on the government, Banks etc and truly not look at ourselves?
Many over reached, some ran before they could walk and a few was jealous of thy neighbour. Basic principles of life went out of the window when extra credit hit our wallets....I know many who have joined this queue and reality bites very hard!
- Jade, London, England, 15/07/2009 21:10
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'Figures published by the Office for National Statistics today show the biggest quarterly increase in joblessness since records began in 1971'.......and what do the spivs in the City think of this? The FTSE 100 is up some 2%, one of the biggest rises for months. Why? Because their friends at Goldmans are to make billions in pay and bonuses so banking as a rip off is back! Unless you're one of the pampered few you can start to enjoy life on £60 per week, few employment opportunities and a future of soup kitchens and charity shop clothing. Fair Britain? I don't think so.
- Bobby Smith, london, 15/07/2009 21:10
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