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Today's job figures reveal people a huge increase in the number of long-term unemployed workers across the North East over the last year, with the biggest jump among young people looking for work. During the last year the numbers of workers requiring jobseekers allowance almost doubled among 25-49 year olds and those aged 50 and older. However among 18-24 year olds the number of long-term unemployed has increased fivefold during the last twelve months.

date: 18 July 2012

embargo: for immediate release

Today's job figures reveal people a huge increase in the number of long-term unemployed workers across the North East over the last year, with the biggest jump among young people looking for work. During the last year the numbers of workers requiring jobseekers allowance almost doubled among 25-49 year olds and those aged 50 and older. However among 18-24 year olds the number of long-term unemployed has increased fivefold during the last twelve months.

Number of jobseekers by age within the North East of England

Age June 2011 June 2012

18-24 3.4% 19.9%

25-49 14.6% 32.2%

50+ 16.6% 30.2%

Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC said:

'The North East's jobs market remains the worst in the UK and is struggling to grow at the rate needed to provide adequate work for the people in our region. The huge regional increase of long-term unemployed over the 12 months is very worrying. Evidence shows that being without work for so long can cause permanent scarring to an individual's wellbeing and harm their future earning potential even when if they do go on to find work.

'Today's figures show the Conservative-led government is leaving behind the long-term unemployed while their savage cuts to further education are giving fewer opportunities not more. We need a future that works before we lose more people to the scourge of long-term unemployment.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Additional high-res photographs available upon request

- 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

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