18 July: Today's job figures reveal people a huge increase in the number of long-term unemployed workers across the North East over the last year, with the biggest jump among young people looking for work. During the last year the numbers of workers requiring jobseekers allowance almost doubled among 25-49 year olds and those aged 50 and older. However among 18-24 year olds the number of long-term unemployed has increased fivefold during the last twelve months.
Number of jobseekers by age within the North East of England
Age June 2011 June 2012
18-24 3.4% 19.9%
25-49 14.6% 32.2%
50+ 16.6% 30.2%
Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC said:
'The North East's jobs market remains the worst in the UK and is struggling to grow at the rate needed to provide adequate work for the people in our region. The huge regional increase of long-term unemployed over the 12 months is very worrying. Evidence shows that being without work for so long can cause permanent scarring to an individual's wellbeing and harm their future earning potential even when if they do go on to find work.
