3,000 join jobless in a month
More than 3,000 people joined the dole queue in Leicestershire last month as the deepening recession led to a further round of job cuts.
Figures out today show the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance soared by 15 per cent between January and February to 22,110 – the biggest monthly increase in at least 15 years.
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Jonathan Irons is looking for a job
The number of unemployed people has now risen by 48 per cent since November.
The rise was blamed on major redundancies at Desford firm Caterpillar and collapsed high street store Woolworths, as well as cutbacks among smaller companies.
Experts said the figures had also been affected by the ending of seasonal jobs in shops and other businesses in mid-January.
Martin Traynor, managing director of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said he was surprised the rise had been so dramatic, but said the growth in unemployment had reached its peak.
"I am surprised the rise was 3,000," he said.
"It reflects the drop in seasonal work that ended in the middle of January, as well as previously announced redundancies working their way through the system.
"January and February were always going to be bad because of the ending of seasonal work.
"Although the claimant count will continue rising over the next six months, it will not be as high as this again."
Mr Traynor said there was good news as the number of vacancies in Leicestershire had risen from 9,000 to `10,000 in the past month, suggesting some companies were beginning to recruit again.
However, jobless people jobless said they were finding it tough to find work.
Jonathan Irons, 34, of Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, arrived at the JobCentre Plus offices in Wellington Street, Leicester, more than an hour before it opened this morning in the hope he could find a job.
He said: "I don't care what I do anymore."
In the East Midlands, the number of Jobseekers' Allowance claimants also rose by 15 per cent to 104,703.
The total number of people out of work in the UK was up 165,000 to 2.03 million.
Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform Tony McNulty today pledged Government support for all those seeking work.
He said: "These latest figures show the human impact of the global recession.
" No matter how hard times get, we will not give up on anyone who loses their job and will continue to provide real help to everyone.''
8 Comments
by dave, leicester
Thursday, March 19 2009, 1:44PM
“i was in engineering for 15 years, then made redundant , decided on a career change and now work in the nhs, best move i ever made, try the nhs website and keep applying. i was offered three jobs in the the nhs in the space of three months, good luck all”
by Harry, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 3:05PM
“Stopping EU workers from taking jobs here will not change anything unfortunately. That could potentially make things worse in the long run. Best of luck to all those searching for employment.”
by G, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:48PM
“Yes I think you may be right Mark!”
by lisa, leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:42PM
“stay at home and play poker on facebook...”
by Julie, Belfast
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:35PM
“Unfortunately too many people chasing too few jobs and will be for some time. Try doing some voluntary work so the prospective employers see you are still keeping your hand in rather tan sit at home getting more and more disillusioned and depressed abot your situation. Sometimes being a volunteer leads to employment with the organisation you are working for. Happened that way with my Dad when at 60 he could see no prospect of employment, he got employed where he took his placement and worked til he was 70!! You will also get some satisfaction in helping worthwhile causes.”
by dave smith, leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:30PM
“i keep applying for jobs, some reply, even if its an unsuccessful letter, but most dont even bother letting you know, i been out of work over a year now, and everytime i hear about joblosses, it makes me wander if theres any hope of getting a job”
by mark, Coalville
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:19PM
“Six months unemployed and still cannot find work.Isn't it time to review the amount of EU workers we have taking British Jobs?”
by neil garratt, loughborough
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:15PM
“Keep going mate. Never give up!Best of luck.”