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Victims of the white collar recession as professionals sign on the dole
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent13.11.09
Unemployment is spiralling among white collar professions in the capital.
Thousands of directors, bankers, architects, lawyers, managers, analysts and teachers in London and the South-East have signed on the dole since the recession started in April last year.
The number of chief executives and directors claiming the £64.30-a-week jobseeker's allowance jumped from 190 in April last year to 615 last month.
The rise in lawyers claiming benefits has been even sharper, up from 155 to 905, according to figures released today by the Office of National Statistics.
But with many construction projects halting, architects have fared the worst, with 790 signing on compared with 65 at the start of the recession. The number of teachers on the dole has jumped over the last 18 months from 480 to 1,615.
The Conservatives accused the Government of failing to do enough to help unemployed white-collar workers.
"Labour hasn't got a clue about how to deal with professional people who have become victims of Gordon Brown's recession," said shadow work secretary Theresa May. "Jobcentres aren't geared up to offer the specialised help that is desperately required."
But employment minister Jim Knight stressed that jobcentres advertised a "wide variety" of vacancies for professionals.
"We also refer people to specialist recruitment agencies that can offer support and coaching," he said.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is warning that 600,000 public sector jobs will go as the Government tackles Britain's debt mountain.
But experts predict the worst of the recession is almost over, with the Square Mile recovering quicker than other parts of Britain.
Personnel institute public policy adviser Gerwyn Davies said: "Jobs have been shed in the financial sector and new ones are likely therefore to be created more quickly. This will boost other professions linked to the City."
Sir Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, said this week that Britain had "started along the road to recovery", after figures showed the smallest rise in unemployment since the start of the downturn.
Reader views (7)
this recession has seriously led to a very tight competition in every field... will younger generation be able to cope up with it?
- Wedding Table Decorations Perth, http://www.theweddingwarehouse.net.au/TableCentrepieces.htm
What a depressing chap you are Mr Camara.Try to see some positive in something,anything.If everyone had your attitude then we would indeed be finished.There are many in the world far worse off than us who only think about where their next meal is coming from.Go and live in some of the eastern bloc countries before you start your Eussr rubbish.
- Tony, Essex
When I was signing on, as a qualified accountant, they just used to scratch their heads cluelessly. They are so geared towards blue collar or unskilled office jobs, probably as a result of years of professionals not needing to join the queue. They need to be retrained to accomodate all types now
- Matt Knight, Ware
"Labour hasn't got a clue about how to deal with professional people who have become victims of Gordon Brown's recession," said shadow work secretary Theresa May. "Jobcentres aren't geared up to offer the specialised help that is desperately required."
Firstly Ms May, it's a global recession, not Gordons.
Secondly, why the hell should 'professional' people have 'specialist help'? They've lost their jobs. Tough, so did many millions under your scum party when it was in power. What's 'specialised help'? A different entrance at the job centre so they don't have to mix with undesirables? A nice cup of Lapsang Souchong on arrival?
I am a 'professional' person, who lost his job in 2001. I got off my bottom and despite tough times, landed a job some 6 weeks later, off my own back. If these professional people have any skills whatsoever, they'll do the same. Let's see what they're really made of.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
"If there were any decent jobs available, it follows that the glorified pen-pushers employed in the Job Centres would be applying for them"
And whats wrong with that.
- Dc, London
What made the white-collared company directors, bankers, architects, lawyers, managers, analysts and teachers think they were immune from losing their jobs? Join the queue, lads, but get to the back.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
If there were any decent jobs available, it follows that the glorified pen-pushers employed in the Job Centres would be applying for them.
The UK, now known as EUSSR, is absolutely finished.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
