Britain's Jobs Market in Crisis: Unemployment Hits 17-Year High

Strategic Insights -

Unemployment in Britain has surged to its highest level in 17 years, with the number of UK-born workers plummeting by 311,000 in the past year. Meanwhile, the number of foreign-born employees rose by 181,000. This stark contrast highlights the urgency of tackling the immigration problem, with experts warning that many young British workers lack basic skills and a positive attitude.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of British-born workers has dropped by 311,000 in the past year, equivalent to 850 per day, according to the Office for National Statistics.
  • The number of foreign-born employees increased by 181,000 over the same period, or 495 per day.
  • Unemployment has risen to 2.62 million, its highest since 1994, with the number of employees dropping by 305,000 between July and September.
  • The number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose by just 5,000 last month, suggesting that many out-of-work individuals expect to find a job soon.
  • Experts warn that many young British workers lack basic skills, such as punctuality and literacy, making them unemployable.
  • Business leaders prefer foreign workers due to their improved attitude, according to a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
  • The government is introducing a new scheme offering a £1,500 cash incentive to small firms hiring apprentices, under the condition they educate them to a GCSE level in English and maths.

Statistics:

  • 2.62 million: the number of unemployed workers in Britain, its highest since 1994.
  • 311,000: the number of British-born workers who have lost their jobs in the past year.
  • 181,000: the increase in foreign-born employees over the same period.
  • 495: the number of foreign-born employees joining the labor market every day.
  • 1 million: the number of young unemployed workers aged 16-24, the highest on record.
  • 5,000: the rise in people claiming unemployment benefits last month.

Sources:

  • "Britons Hit by Largest Rise in Joblessness" by Becky Barrow, for The Daily Telegraph.
  • Office for National Statistics.
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
  • Migrationwatch think-tank.
  • British Chambers of Commerce.
  • Iain Duncan Smith, Work and Pensions Secretary.
  • The Daily Telegraph editorial.