All in this together: Three times harder to find work in North East than in South East

date: 16May 2012

embargo: for immediate release

Commenting on today's unemployment figures which show a 6,000 rise in unemployment in the North East between January and March, Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC said:

'Today's figures once again throw into sharp contrast the claim that we are all in this together. Unfortunately, the North East is suffering more than most from the lack of growth. On average there are now 9 jobseekers per vacancy in our region compared to just 3 jobseekers per vacancy in the South East - and fewer than 2 jobseekers per vacancy in Cameron's Constituency of Oxfordshire.

'South Tyneside has the highest ratio of those seeking work versus vacancies outside of London - and the fourth highest in England. This is just not good enough. We deserve more as a region, as families and as individuals and the Government has a duty to help instead of hinder, which the looming spectre of regional pay would do - in spades. This Conservative-led government has no plan for jobs and growth in the North. The Chancellor is more interested in making it easier to fire people rather than hire them.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Northern TUC press releases www.tuc.org.uk/northern national releases www.tuc.org.uk and www.twitter.com/tucnews

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- For TUC advice and information on the world of work www.workSMART.org.uk

Media contacts:

Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary T: 0191 227 5565; M: 07766250074; E: krowan@tuc.org.uk