60% increase in redundancies in Yorkshire, says TUC

27 Jan 2021 11:08 AM

Commenting on yesterday’s (Tuesday) employment figures, which show a 60% increase in redundancies in the region compared to September-November 2019, the TUC warns the Chancellor that he must urgently extend the job retention scheme to save jobs.

• Latest ONS data shows huge increase in number of redundancies compared to same time last year
• 54,000 employees dropped from payrolls in Yorkshire since March
• TUC calls on region’s Conservative MPs to act

The data also shows the payroll employee jobs lost in different parts of the region since March are: 8,513 in East Yorkshire; 8040 in North Yorkshire; 13,900 in South Yorkshire; 23,622 in West Yorkshire.

The TUC says that the government must recognise the damage done by withdrawing support too soon, or by failing to guarantee continuation of support until the eleventh hour.

TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams yesterday said:  

“The more people we keep in work, the faster we can recover. But with the job retention scheme set to end in April, millions of people’s jobs hang in the balance.

“When the government planned to withdraw support last autumn, despite restrictions still being in place, unemployment surged. We can’t let that happen again.

“Conservative MPs in our region have a duty to act and save their constituents’ livelihoods. They have the power to influence the Chancellor.

“It’s time to end the uncertainty and anxiety. The Chancellor must urgently extend furlough support to the end of the year to keep jobs safe.”

Editors Note

• The monthly employment changes are based on ONS Labour Force Survey single-month estimates; these are not designated as National Statistics but offer a reasonable guide to unemployment outcomes through the pandemic.
• 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.

Contacts:

Gareth Forest (Lewis)
glewis@tuc.org.uk 
0113 200 1075
07810 374976

TUC national press office 
media@tuc.org.uk  
020 7467 1248