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Each UK job 'chased by 10 people' Each UK job 'chased by 10 people'
(about 1 hour later)
There is now an average of 10 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in the UK, the TUC has warned. There is an average of 10 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in UK jobcentres, the TUC has warned.
The situation is worst in the south east of England, where the trade union body said its research found 60 people chasing each job. The trade union body said the ratio - which applies to unemployed people who are claiming jobseeker allowance - had more than doubled over the past year.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber told the Observer that the figures "were shocking", and showed the extent to which unemployment had risen. The TUC said that while 10 unemployed people were chasing every advertised job in January of 2009, a year earlier it was only four per vacancy.
The latest official data is due to show UK unemployment at two million. In 25 council areas there were now more than 20 people per job, it added.
It is due to be published on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics. 'Shocking jobs fall'
Its most recent data showed that UK unemployment hit 1.97 million between October and December. The TUC said the Isle of Wight was the worst hit area, and now had a ratio of 60 jobseekers per advertised vacancy.
Continuing recession
Mr Barber added that its figures "blow out of the water the government's claim that there are plenty of jobs available for people who are prepared to look".
See how unemployment has risenSee how unemployment has risen
The TUC's warning came as a separate report by accountants BDO Story Hayward said one in every 56 UK businesses will fail in 2009, a 59% rise on last year. It was followed by Scotland's Western Isles, 44, and Blaenau Gwent, 42, and Rhondda, Cynon, Taff, 36.
JOBSEEKERS PER VACANCY Isle of Wight - 60Western Isles - 44Blaenau Gwent - 42Rhondda, Cynon, Taff - 36Hackney - 36Lewisham - 34Argyll & Bute - 31Greenwich - 30Lambeth - 29South Tyneside - 28 Source: TUC
Two London boroughs came next, with Hackney on 36, and Lewisham on 34.
The TUC said it had come to its figures by analysing official data.
The Office for National Statistics is now expected to say on Wednesday that UK unemployment went above two million between January and March.
"Rising unemployment has been matched by an equally shocking decline in job vacancies," said TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.
"The government can no longer claim there is plenty of work available when there are as many as 20 dole claimants per jobcentre vacancy in parts of the country."
Continuing recession
The TUC's figures came as a separate report by accountants BDO Story Hayward said one in every 56 UK businesses will fail in 2009, a 59% rise on last year.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) estimated last week that UK unemployment would reach 3.2 million - or just over 10% of the workforce - by the second half of next year.The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) estimated last week that UK unemployment would reach 3.2 million - or just over 10% of the workforce - by the second half of next year.
BCC director general David Frost said the government had to do more to help firms of all sizes.BCC director general David Frost said the government had to do more to help firms of all sizes.
Unemployment is rising as the UK recession, the first since 1991, continues.Unemployment is rising as the UK recession, the first since 1991, continues.
UK economic output fell by 1.5% in the last three months of 2008, after a drop of 0.6% between July and September. This met the widely accepted definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.UK economic output fell by 1.5% in the last three months of 2008, after a drop of 0.6% between July and September. This met the widely accepted definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.
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