New job figures released by government

22/04/2009

Unemployment figures for March have been released by the Office for National Statistics.

According to the official figures, 2.1 million people were out of work in February - up from the previous official total of 2.03 million the previous month.

This is the highest total for 12 years and comes as part of a consistent rising trend in job losses.

Over recent months, the credit crunch and economic downturn has led to cost-cutting among large firms and the closure of many small businesses.

The release of the figures follows the launch of a new campaign from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

According to the group, the government should set aside a total of £2 billion to help jobless people back into work in the downturn.

The TUC estimated that around 100,000 salaried work experience positions would be added by the scheme.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "In previous recessions well-qualified workers who have lost their jobs have tended to find work again quite quickly."

He added: "Properly defined new work schemes have proved successful in the past, and the government needs to do all it can to minimise the grim impact of the recession and ensure that the UK is poised ready to make the most of opportunities for recovery."

Tags; Young Family Finances, Job loss, Recent Graduate Debt,

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