ONS figures shine spotlight on need to tackle unemployment

-

With the ongoing euro crisis and weakened global economic growth, ONS unemployment figures are gloomy.

With unemployment levels rising by 128,000 to 2.64million, businesses around the country won’t find comfort in today’s ONS figures which reinforce the gloomy state of Britain’s economy. Businesses’ views are supported by the recent survey published by ‘Manpower’, stating the outlook for jobs in the current climate has worsened. Out of the 2100 employers that took part in the survey, four out of five businesses had no plans to hire workers in the next three months. With unemployment continuing to be a highly debated issue, the job market, especially for young people out of work, has never been more competitive. Most concerning though according to Liz Field, CEO of the Financial Skills Partnership, is that the financial services industry is the most pessimistic in terms of job creation.

Liz Field said, “The financial services industry is Britain’s economic engine. Amounting to 10 per cent of the country’s GDP and responsible for one in every nine pounds of the Treasury’s tax revenue, it is alarming that the flatlining in the jobs market has so adversely affected one of Britain’s most important sectors.”

The unemployment figures maintain the spotlight on the concerning trend that young people in the 16 to 24 year old age bracket are disproportionately affected by the stunted economic growth plaguing Britain. The young find it increasingly difficult to find employment.

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Liz Field said, “The growing problem of unemployment affecting 16-24 year olds makes it all the more urgent that the jobs crisis is addressed. Drastic measures are needed to reverse this worrying trend that is rapidly damaging growth prospects of the UK. The FSP continues to work with employers to help create opportunities for young people through placements and developing appropriate apprenticeships that will provide work opportunities and the essential skilled talent needed to maintain the importance of the finance sector to the UK economy.”

Pamela Flores is an events professional with experience at Symposium Events, a UK-based conference and events organization. She has worked in editorial and event coordination roles within the HR and expatriate management sector, contributing to the organization of major conferences including the Expatriate Management and Global Mobility conference. Her background spans online editorial work and events management within the professional conference industry.

Latest news

England’s overnight World Cup clash and 5am pub opening prompt CIPD advice

The CIPD is urging organisations to agree any flexibility before England's 1am World Cup last-16 tie to help minimise disruption at the start of the working week.

Russell Cowley: Gen Z – rebuilding workplace culture, break by break

Gen Z workers are taking proper breaks and in doing so, they may be fixing something the rest of us broke.

Fit for Work: Weekend warrior? You can still reap the health benefits

Weekend exercise can still improve long-term health, even for people who struggle to fit physical activity into the working week.

Superdry co-founder’s victim warns workplace power can silence abuse victims

A survivor's account raises questions about speaking-up cultures and accountability in organisations.
- Advertisement -

UK’s always-on work culture ‘driving employee burnout’

Nearly half of UK workers say they end most working days mentally exhausted as rising workplace pressure leaves employees and managers struggling to switch off.

Andrew Murray on why no two days look alike

A people development leader shares how travel, training and a passion for helping others shape a working day with little room for routine.

Must read

Oliver Barber: How and why businesses must evolve to enable adaptability

Digital transformation and AI mean that employers’ jobs and skills needs will change at a quicker pace than ever before.  Oliver Barber from Docebo suggests ways in which companies can evolve to enable their employees to adapt to change.

Bernadette Daley: Employee shareholders – dealing with the HR aspects

You may be forgiven for thinking that we already...
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you