By UK Unemployment figures continues to climb
Recent figures show almost one million people across the United Kingdom have faced unemployment since the start of the pandemic.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in December there were 28.2 million people on UK company payrolls which is 828,000 fewer than there were last February before coronavirus hit.
Unemployment climbed to 5% for the first time in four years in the three months to November, after another 202,000 people lost their jobs.
The statistics show workers in parts of London were hit the hardest followed by north-eastern Scotland.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:”This crisis has gone on far longer than any of us hoped – and every job lost as a result is a tragedy”
“Whilst the NHS is working hard to protect people with the vaccine, we’re throwing everything we’ve got at supporting businesses, individuals and families.”
The hospitality industry was hardest hit and saw the biggest rise in job losses, as the sector has been affected by months of closures, curfews and further restrictions since March 2020.
The next sector to be hit hard was manufacturing.
Young people also faced the sharpest drops in employment affecting thousands of adults on average between the ages of 25 and 34.
Many firms fear that they may not be able to survive the pandemic, with pubs and restaurants bearing the brunt of the restrictions as there is no certainty when the pandemic restrictions will begin to loosen.
However, there were some positive updates as job vacancies increased, with 81,000 new openings listed in the last three months.
Out of all UK nations or regions, Northern Ireland saw the biggest increase in salaries, as median pay jumped 7.2% over the 12 months.
Contact Gi National
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
