UK unemployment jumps to 17-year high
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The number of jobless in Britain increased by 114,000 people to 2.57 million between June and August, setting an 8.1 percent rate increase or a 17-year high record.
The figures published by the Office for National Statistics revealed that the number of unemployed British youths between 16 and 24 years of old also reached a record high of 991,000, a rate of 21.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the total jobless figures for 16 and 17-year-olds rose by 3,000 to 205,000, and long-term job losses increased by 60,000 to 867,000.
The ONS figures also showed that the rate of people who lost jobs and claiming benefits increased by 17,500 to reach 1.6 million, which is the highest level since 2010.
Brendan Barber, the general secretary of Trade Union Congress (TUC), condemned the coalition government's economic strategies.
"These are terrible figures. The government's austerity measures have turned unemployment into a full-blown crisis - with job losses not seen since the darkest days of the recession”, Barber said.
"Worryingly, this is not simply the result of eurozone troubles. This unemployment crisis is state-sponsored and areas like the North East are paying a heavy price, with over one in 10 people out of work."
Financial experts stressed that ONS report proved Britain has been dealing with a crippling economy.
Howard Archer, IHS Global Insight's top economist, said that there would be no getting away from the disappointing set of labour market data.
"It is evident that persistent economic weakness, lower business confidence and mounting public sector job cuts are combining to take an increasing toll on jobs. Meanwhile, ongoing muted wage growth is maintaining the serious squeeze on consumers' purchasing power," he added.
John Salt, director of jobsite Totaljobs, declared that women were badly hit by the country's economic downturn, and that “with deficit reduction priority number one, we can expect further public sector job cuts, which affect women disproportionately.”
The figures published by the Office for National Statistics revealed that the number of unemployed British youths between 16 and 24 years of old also reached a record high of 991,000, a rate of 21.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the total jobless figures for 16 and 17-year-olds rose by 3,000 to 205,000, and long-term job losses increased by 60,000 to 867,000.
The ONS figures also showed that the rate of people who lost jobs and claiming benefits increased by 17,500 to reach 1.6 million, which is the highest level since 2010.
Brendan Barber, the general secretary of Trade Union Congress (TUC), condemned the coalition government's economic strategies.
"These are terrible figures. The government's austerity measures have turned unemployment into a full-blown crisis - with job losses not seen since the darkest days of the recession”, Barber said.
"Worryingly, this is not simply the result of eurozone troubles. This unemployment crisis is state-sponsored and areas like the North East are paying a heavy price, with over one in 10 people out of work."
Financial experts stressed that ONS report proved Britain has been dealing with a crippling economy.
Howard Archer, IHS Global Insight's top economist, said that there would be no getting away from the disappointing set of labour market data.
"It is evident that persistent economic weakness, lower business confidence and mounting public sector job cuts are combining to take an increasing toll on jobs. Meanwhile, ongoing muted wage growth is maintaining the serious squeeze on consumers' purchasing power," he added.
John Salt, director of jobsite Totaljobs, declared that women were badly hit by the country's economic downturn, and that “with deficit reduction priority number one, we can expect further public sector job cuts, which affect women disproportionately.”
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