- 12
- Nov
The proportion of people in the UK who are out of work has risen, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown.
In the period from July to September 2008, the group recorded rises in the number of unemployed people and the number of Britons who are claiming benefits while they are out of work. Meanwhile, the number of available jobs has fallen, indicating that employment opportunities are contracting in line with the overall economy.
For the three-month period, the rate of unemployment in the UK stood at 5.8 per cent of the total number of people who are economically active. This represents an increase of 0.4 per cent on figures for the previous quarter and 0.5 per cent over the year. This amounted to an additional 140,000 people entering unemployment during the course of July to September.
As more people enter unemployment, it is possible that a growing number begin to experience difficulties keeping up with financial responsibilities. Such areas of commitment could well include mortgages, credit cards, utility bills and personal loan repayments.
Indeed, the ONS noted that as the number of people who are out of work rose, so did the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance, indicating that Brits are keen to tide themselves over while look for more work.
And while the statistics have caused alarm in some circles, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has urged consumers to remember that in a relative sense, the employment position in the UK remains strong.
The organisation stated that there are thousands of jobs still available, while governmental funding can support people while they search out new work.
Tony McNulty, minister for employment, said: “Every time a worker loses their job it is a personal tragedy and the government is doing everything it can to get those people who have become unemployed back to work as quickly as possible. People who are worried about the current downturn need to know that there are jobs out there - the claimant count may be rising, but large numbers of people are also moving off benefits and into jobs. Those people who do find themselves unemployed are getting real help early on and today we are doubling the funding for Jobcentre Plus.”
For those who have been struck off in recent months as the world enters a period of economic slowdown, the DWP assured people that there are plenty of opportunities to re-enter the workforce. It explained that more than 10,000 job postings are generated through Jobcentre Plus everyday, while other regional recruitment portals produce thousands more. During the three-month period to October, it estimated that there were 389,000 unfilled vacancies.
Meanwhile, commenting on ONS figures showing that the country has entered a period of economic contract, independent financial advice site the Motley Fool warned that many Britons are struggling to put money aside for the future as payment responsibilities wipe out their wages. For those who have found themselves in such a situation, taking out a debt consolidation loan may be an effective way to get back on the road to financial recovery.
All About Loans providing you with breaking debt consolidation loan news.
