A RESPONSE TO THE LATEST LABOUR MARKET FIGURES

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, claimant unemployment, was 1.23 million in January 2009, up 73,800 on the month, and up 438,100 on the year. The claimant unemployment rate, at 3.8%, is up 0.2 percentage points this month and up 1.4% on the year.

International Labour Organisation provides an international measure based on a survey sample which asks people whether they are looking for work. It is traditionally higher than claimant count as it includes many people who are not claiming unemployment benefit. ILO unemployment stands at 1.97 million.

Commenting on these latest figures,  David Kidney says:

“It is important to remember that people are still moving off benefit as well as coming on. In January a quarter of a million people came off JSA. There are still jobs available in the economy with half a million unfilled vacancies in the three months to January 2009, and around 10,000 new vacancies coming up at Jobcentre Plus every working day. Many more come up through other recruitment agencies, websites and newspaper job pages.

The kinds of help available.

• at risk of redundancy, helped from Rapid Response Service (RRS).

From Day One of Unemployment:
o Help and advice on finding a new job;
o Help to write a new CV and fill in job applications;
o Help on retraining and skills advice;
o Help with their rent and with their mortgage from 13 weeks;
o Help to access to the average of 10,000 new vacancies recorded by Jobcentre Plus every working day.

From 3 Months Unemployed:
•  extra help with mortgage payments (SMI) to help them keep their homes when they lose their job.

•  Jobcentre Plus steps up the help it gives with wider job search and more intensive support from advisers.

“The wider welfare reforms are helping more people to get off benefits and into work. This week’s figures show that the number of people claiming incapacity benefits fell 51 thousand over the year to August 2008, and the number receiving lone parent benefits fell 19 thousand over the year to August 2008 to stand at 745 thousand.

The worst thing we could do in a downturn is keep people away from the labour market as happened in the 70's and 80s. Instead, we must continue giving people the skills they need to take up jobs, identifying future opportunities in new sectors and helping people to set up their own business. Labour is working with unions, employers and providers of back-to-work help in these tough times, and preparing for the future so that we can come out of the downturn sooner and stronger.”

from 6 months unemployed:
• The majority of people move off Jobseekers Allowance within 6 months, but for those who don’t, more help is guaranteed.

• extra funds for Jobcentre Plus to give intensive personalised support, the two year package will include access to:

 “Employers’ Golden Hellos”: incentives of up to £2500 (£1000 in Scotland and Wales) paid to employers to recruit and train unemployed people

o New training places: extra funding for training places to help unemployed people get new skills to maximise their chances of getting jobs from the 500,000 vacancies in the economy.

o Work-focused volunteering options: opportunities to volunteer to help people back into work habits

o Help to set up a business – advice on creating a business plan, plus funding for the first months of trading.