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| UK job cuts affect 'two in three' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Two-thirds of people across the UK know someone who has lost a job in the recession, a BBC survey suggests. | |
| A further four in 10 fear losing their job in the current climate, the survey of 1,048 people by ComRes indicates. | |
| But while concerns about employment may be increasing, most people believe the worst may be over - despite believing the economic situation remains tough. | But while concerns about employment may be increasing, most people believe the worst may be over - despite believing the economic situation remains tough. |
| While 34% think things will worsen, 52% hold the view that the economy will not improve for a while yet. | While 34% think things will worsen, 52% hold the view that the economy will not improve for a while yet. |
| A further 12% hold the optimistic view that things are improving. | A further 12% hold the optimistic view that things are improving. |
| The BBC commissioned the survey to mark its Taking The Pulse day, which is looking at how the recession is taking effect across the country. | The BBC commissioned the survey to mark its Taking The Pulse day, which is looking at how the recession is taking effect across the country. |
| However, when looking at people's attitudes across age and social groups, older and less wealthy people are more pessimistic. | However, when looking at people's attitudes across age and social groups, older and less wealthy people are more pessimistic. |
| Just 12% of people aged 65 and over expect their finances to improve over the coming year, compared with 36% of 18 to 24-year-olds. | Just 12% of people aged 65 and over expect their finances to improve over the coming year, compared with 36% of 18 to 24-year-olds. |
| Jobs fallout | Jobs fallout |
| Another key trend highlighted by the survey is the widespread effect of recent job losses - across all age, regional and social groups. | Another key trend highlighted by the survey is the widespread effect of recent job losses - across all age, regional and social groups. |
| In total, 67% of respondents said they knew someone personally who had been made unemployed. | In total, 67% of respondents said they knew someone personally who had been made unemployed. |
| Worst affected were the people of Northern Ireland, where a huge 87% of people knew someone who had been axed from their post. Least affected was the North of England where just 60% knew someone hit by unemployment. | Worst affected were the people of Northern Ireland, where a huge 87% of people knew someone who had been axed from their post. Least affected was the North of England where just 60% knew someone hit by unemployment. |
| Unsurprisingly, 69% of people said it would be very damaging financially - for them or their household - if they were to lose their job. The group most concerned about such an eventuality was the 25-34 age group, with 88% voicing such fears. | Unsurprisingly, 69% of people said it would be very damaging financially - for them or their household - if they were to lose their job. The group most concerned about such an eventuality was the 25-34 age group, with 88% voicing such fears. |
| The only group that seemed relatively unconcerned was the people aged 65 and over, with just 35% worried about the potential fall-out from job losses. | The only group that seemed relatively unconcerned was the people aged 65 and over, with just 35% worried about the potential fall-out from job losses. |
| Concern about finances also appears to have percolated through to affect other aspects of people's behaviour. | Concern about finances also appears to have percolated through to affect other aspects of people's behaviour. |
| Consumer concerns | Consumer concerns |
| Overall shopping habits have changed markedly, with 75% of those polled simply trying to spend less, 63% buying less on impulse than before and 51% less inclined to use a credit card or overdraft. | Overall shopping habits have changed markedly, with 75% of those polled simply trying to spend less, 63% buying less on impulse than before and 51% less inclined to use a credit card or overdraft. |
| A further 46% try to put more money aside into savings, highlighting the fact that the public's love affair with debt culture may be coming to an end. | A further 46% try to put more money aside into savings, highlighting the fact that the public's love affair with debt culture may be coming to an end. |
| When it comes to the UK government, 50% of people believe it is likely to continue to rely on borrowing to balance its books. | When it comes to the UK government, 50% of people believe it is likely to continue to rely on borrowing to balance its books. |
| Many of those quizzed (31%) also say any recovery, when it starts, will be down to the coordinated actions of governments across the world. Just 21% believed it was down to the British government's measures. | Many of those quizzed (31%) also say any recovery, when it starts, will be down to the coordinated actions of governments across the world. Just 21% believed it was down to the British government's measures. |
| And while many people believe the worst is over, they are still keeping an eye out for those green shoots of recovery. | And while many people believe the worst is over, they are still keeping an eye out for those green shoots of recovery. |
| The key signs the public will be looking for are people spending more in the shops (70%), a rise in house prices (69%) and a rise in share prices (68%). | The key signs the public will be looking for are people spending more in the shops (70%), a rise in house prices (69%) and a rise in share prices (68%). |