STUC - Worrying trend on under-employment suggests weak and jobless recovery

July 13th 2010

STUC - Worrying trend on under-employment suggests weak and jobless recovery

July 13th 2010

Responding to today’s Office of National Statistics figures showing continuing high levels of underemployment, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said:

“The shift to short hours working has been a significant factor ensuring the rise in unemployment has not been quite as steep as in previous recessions. However the flip-side of this is the risk of a slow, jobless recovery, which will only be exacerbated by government policies which will lower demand in the economy and reduce government contracted private and public sector employment.

“The high level of youth underemployment is a major concern and puts into sharp focus the disastrous decision to discontinue the Future Jobs Fund.

‘The ONS underemployment figures come just days after the Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU) warned that graduate unemployment in the UK was likely to rise to 25%, the highest it has ever been. This raises serious questions on what this Government is doing to help young people find work and prevent another lost generation”

“The fact that underemployment is endemic in the distribution and hospitality sectors suggest that for many, low pay continues to contribute to a need to work excessive hours”.

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Moxham 0141 337 8100