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date: 22 December 2009

embargo: 00.01hrs Wednesday 23 December 2009

Number of people spending second Christmas on the dole will double

The number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole will double to over 200,000 this year, a TUC analysis of labour market statistics reveals today (Wednesday).

The TUC analysis shows that the number of people claiming Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 103,930 in December 2008 to 201,015 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.

The analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 267 local authority areas across the UK, with sharp rises in rural areas such as East and North Dorset, and in big cities like Sheffield, Dudley and Bristol.

For those people unfortunate enough to be spending their second Christmas on the dole, it will be tough for them to stretch their benefits far enough to have even a half-decent festive celebration, says the TUC.

Research recently published by the Grocer magazine suggests that even the most frugal Christmas shopping trip to the supermarket, selecting the cheapest frozen turkeys, potatoes and Christmas puddings, would set families back over £100, without even taking into account the cost of a tree or any presents. A weekly individual JSA of £64.30 (£50.95 for under 26 year olds) is not going to buy much Christmas cheer, the TUC says.

Most long-term unemployed people do not claim the dole. Although the number of people claiming JSA for at least 12 months is just over 200,000, the total number of people out of work for at least a year reached 620,000 in October 2009, and is expected to increase further.

The TUC is calling on the Government to extend its job guarantee for young people so that anyone out of work for 18 months is entitled to a job paying at least the minimum wage for a minimum of six months.

The TUC also wants groups at risk of long-term unemployment - such as people aged over 50, those who have spent a long time out of the labour market while caring for children or with a history of unemployment - to be able to access jobs earlier than 18 months.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.

'While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.

'Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.

'Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.

'The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Long-term JSA claimant levels in 25 largest English Cities

Data source: www.nomisweb.co.uk

- The TUC has used JSA claimant count data by district/unitary authority. The populations of the largest English cities can be found at www.citymayors.com

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (800 words) issued 23 Dec 2009