Redundancies in Yorkshire at their highest level in five years, says TUC
23 Feb 2021 02:29 PM
Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) employment figures, which shows redundancies have risen to 18,000 in our region in the final quarter of 2020, their highest point in five years, the TUC says Yorkshire’s Conservative MPs need to push the Chancellor to act in next week’s budget.
- Latest ONS data show a 63% increase in redundancies in region compared to same time last year
- 11,000 more people unemployed in Oct-Dec 2020, compared to previous quarter
- TUC says region’s Conservative MPs aren’t doing enough to stave off economic crisis
The data also shows a 15% increase in unemployment compared to October to December 2019.
National data shows that young people (16-24 year-olds) account for 6 in 10 (58%) of the payroll jobs lost over the last year.
The TUC is urging the Chancellor to boost the economy in next week’s budget through a payrise for all key workers, accelerating infrastructure investment in Yorkshire such as through the West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire mass transit projects, and investing in green job creation.
But it warns that Yorkshire’s Conservative MPs are not doing enough to support the region’s economic recovery, and says that the data shows that more economic support for workers and business is needed in the coming months.
TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams said:
“Conservative MPs need to take the economic and public health situation seriously. We need a safe return to work, and that means more wage support and business support for our region whilst the NHS continues to deliver the vaccine roll out.
“We cannot see a repeat of last year, where the government’s disastrous privatised test and trace scheme was not fit to cope with a reopening of the economy.”
On young workers, Adams said:
“Young workers are bearing the brunt of this jobs crisis. We cannot afford for another generation to be scarred by mass unemployment.
“The government must stop dragging its heels and announce an extension of the full furlough scheme for the rest of this year.
“The current uncertainty is creating needless anxiety and making it hard for businesses and working families to plan for the future.
“And it must revamp its Kickstarter scheme to help more young people back into work.”
On the need to support the self-employed, Adams added:
“Millions of self-employed workers are still being denied the support they need to make ends meet during this crisis. That is not right.
“Ministers must fix this urgently and extend the self-employed scheme to help more workers.”
On the need to boost job creation, Adams added:
“The economy needs jumpstarting. The government must get on the front foot and start investing in job creation.
“Fast-tracking spending now on green housing, infrastructure and our public services can create good jobs in the parts of the country that need them most.”
On the need to help the recently unemployed, Adams said:
“Ministers must help those who lose their jobs get back on their feet quickly.
“That means keeping the £20 uplift in Universal Credit in place - not taking away this lifeline.”
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