Record number of young people out of work

16 December 2009

The number of young people out of work is at the highest level since records began, and the total number of unemployed in the UK remains below the 2.5m mark, according to government statistics released today (16 December).

Categories: Local government

By Sara White

The unemployment rate for 18 to 24 year olds reached 18.4% in November - an increase of 0.9 percentage points on the quarter and the highest figure since records began.

Overall unemployment increased by 21,000, reaching 2.49m – the highest level since early 1995 – although the quarterly rise was the smallest for over a year.

The number of people claiming for Jobseekers' Allowance fell for the first time since February 2008 and now stands at 1.63m – a reduction of 6,300.

There were also 432,000 job vacancies in August to October, more than in the previous quarter.

Average earnings for the quarter, excluding bonuses, were 1.7% higher than during the same period in 2008. The public sector grew at an annual rate of 2.7% with the private sector experiencing a 1.4% rate of growth.

Yesterday (15 December), the TUC welcomed the government's promise of 100,000 new jobs, apprenticeships and training places for young people.ADNFCR-1459-ID-19515337-ADNFCR

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