Northern TUC comment on today's ONS figures

date: 17 July 2013

embargo: for immediate release

Northern TUC comment on today's jobs figures

Today's unemployment figures from the Office of National Statistics show a further 4,000 rise in unemployment in the North East of England to 134,000. Three quarters of the increase has come from a 3,000 increase in female unemployment in the region.

Commenting on today's ONS figures Beth Farhat, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: 'Once again, these figures highlight that the government's economic plans - or rather lack of them - are failing the North East in a big way. There's a genuine danger that any modest recovery will be confined to the south and widen the disparity further, leaving regions like ours behind.

'It's simple economics; 'austerity' equals fewer people in work which equals less money into an economy that desperately needs it. We need the chance to be able to work our way out of recession with more and better jobs and the resultant growth that will bring across the board.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- ONS data can be accessed here http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-labour/regional-labour-market-statistics/july-2013/rft-lm-table-hi01-north-east-july-2013.xls

- 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:

Beth Farhat, Regional Secretary, Northern TUC

E: bfarhat@tuc.org.uk T: 07747636408