Unemployment rising in the North West

In the North West, regional unemployment increased by a whopping 21,000 over the last quarter

Unemployment in the North West rose more than anywhere else in the country during the last quarter (April-June 2019), new figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

In the North West, regional unemployment increased by a whopping 21,000 with an increase of 31,000 nationally.

Trade union GMB has warned that the risk of recession grows “more likely” as a result of rising unemployment.

It has also highlighted a report from the University of Leuven, Belgium, which anticipates 525,000 UK job losses if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Neil Foster, National Research and Policy Officer for GMB said: "The rising unemployment figures add to the perilous state of the UK economy – jobs are being lost, the value of the pound is falling, our economy is contracting and the risk of recession grows every day. More and more people are worried about their livelihoods and their future. 

“The rise in unemployment today would be a drop in the ocean compared to the economic destruction of crashing out of the EU with no deal. Over half a million people in the UK could lose their jobs.”

Commenting on the unemployment and labour market figures, CBI North West Regional Damian Waters said: “These figures of unemployment rising by 21,000 in the North West are a warning sign.

“The fundamentals of our region’s economy are strong, but these figures should give people pause for reflection.

“The government must act to help businesses employ more people and grow our region’s economy. That’s not just boosting vital infrastructure: it’s also highlighting the importance of investing in training, together with a new immigration system allowing them access to workers they need to succeed."

However, official figures from the Office for National Statistics also show that – nationally – employment continues to run at a near-record high rate of 76.1%, with 32.8 million people in work – an increase of over 3.7 million since 2010. The unemployment rate has remained at an 11-year low of just 4.8%.

Further figures show, in the North West, 3.48 million people are employed, whist the unemployment level is at 158,000 – down 137,000 since 2010.