Over 27,000 people in the west midlands spending second Christmas on the dole

Over 27,000 west midlands people will be spending their second successive Christmas on the dole, a TUC analysis of labour market statistics reveals today (Wednesday).
The TUC analysis shows that the number of people in the region claiming Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 15,200 in December 2008 to 27,500 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.
The national analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. In the west midlands there are now seven local authorities with over 1,000 JSA claimants compared to just one, Birmingham, a year ago. In addition to Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall have all seen significant increases in the long term unemployed, each recording over 1,000 additional JSA claimants since December 2008. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 21 local authority areas across the west midlands, with sharp rises away from the west midlands conurbation in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Cannock Chase, Tamworth, Redditch and Stratford-on-Avon.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.
“While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.
“Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.
“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.
“The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.”

For the full press release and statistics go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-17372-f0.cfm?regional=6