WIREDGOV

Commenting on the latest employment figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show unemployment up by 209,000 from this time last year and the steepest quarterly rise in redundances on record, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady yesterday said:

“We are on the precipice of an unemployment crisis. Ministers must act now to protect and create jobs. The expansion of the job support scheme is a step in the right direction, but it still falls short. 

“Wage replacement should be 80% for businesses who have to shut. We need a more generous short-time working scheme for firms which aren’t required to close but will be hit by stricter local restrictions. And self-employed people in local lockdown areas need help too. 

“Ministers must do more to create good new jobs. TUC research shows that we could create 1.2 million new jobs in the next two years in green transport and infrastructure, and another 600,000 by unlocking public sector vacancies.”

Editors Note

• The unemployment statistics are at: www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment  
• TUC analysis that we could create 1.2 million jobs in green transport and infrastructure is available here: www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-investing-infrastructure-now-could-create-more-million-jobs-over-next-two-years 
• TUC analysis that we could unlock 600,000 job vacancies in the public sector is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/news/cut-unemployment-rate-now-unlocking-600000-public-service-vacancies-and-staff-gaps-says-tuc  
• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.