Long-term unemployment has doubled
The number of people on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for more than a year has nearly doubled, the TUC has said.
Those claiming JSA for more than 12 months rose to 201,015 in November 2009, up from 103,930 in December 2008.
And 58 local authorities now have over 1,000 long-term claimants, compared with 19 last year.
The TUC is urging the government to extend its job guarantee for young people to everyone who has been unemployed for 18 months.
The TUC made the calculations using official claimant count data.
It wants to see the long-term unemployed entitled to a job paying at least the minimum wage for a minimum of six months.
Job Seeker’s Allowance currently stands at £50.95 a week for 16-24 year olds, and £64.30 a week for those aged 25 and over
source/full story: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8427237 .stm