Skip to main content

Massive regional variation in unemployment

The labour market statistics published today by the Office for National Statistics continue to show the massive regional variation that has become a familiar feature of this recession.

As the UK climbs out of recession the benefit in terms of jobs is largely experienced in the South East. The disparity between the South East and the rest of the country grows. Unemployment is almost twice as high in the North East.

The unemployment rate in Great Britain was highest in the North East (10.3%) and lowest in the Sout East of England (5.9%).

The Claimant Count rate in Great Britain was highest in the North East (6.5%) and lowest in the South East (2.4%).

Another familiar feature is the large numbers working part-time or with temporary employment. 

The increase in employment is welcome news and another indication that the UK is edging out of recession. But there is a caveat, and it is again the regional disparity. The increased employment is largely in the South East. And there is a regional  disparity in the unemployment rate. Unemployment in the North West increased. Unemployment in the North East and the Midlands remains high with little change. Economic activity in these regions has not picked up and growth is patchy.

The feel good factor isn't yet reaching most parts of the United Kingdom, as these figures represent a growing national divide in potential opportunities and  living standards.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prioritising people in nursing care.

There has been in recent years concern that care in the NHS has not been sufficiently 'patient centred', or responsive to the needs of the patient on a case basis. It has been felt in care that it as been the patient who has had to adapt to the regime of care, rather than the other way around. Putting patients at the centre of care means being responsive to their needs and supporting them through the process of health care delivery.  Patients should not become identikit sausages in a production line. The nurses body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has responded to this challenge with a revised code of practice reflection get changes in health and social care since the previous code was published in 2008. The Code describes the professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives. Four themes describe what nurses and midwives are expected to do: prioritise people practise effectively preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust. The
Post a Comment
Read more

The Thin End account of COVID Lockdown

Post a Comment
Read more

Ian Duncan-Smith says he wants to make those on benefits 'better people'!

By any account, the government's austerity strategy is utilitarian. It justifies its approach by the presumed potential ends. It's objective is to cut the deficit, but it has also adopted another objective which is specifically targeted. It seeks to drive people off benefits and 'back to work'.  The two together are toxic to the poorest in society. Those least able to cope are the most affected by the cuts in benefits and the loss of services. It is the coupling of these two strategic aims that make their policies ethically questionable. For, by combining the two, slashing the value of benefits to make budget savings while also changing the benefits system, the highest burden falls on a specific group, those dependent on benefits. For the greater good of the majority, a minority group, those on benefits, are being sacrificed; sacrificed on the altar of austerity. And they are being sacrificed in part so that others may be spared. Utilitarian ethics considers the ba
7 comments
Read more