WIREDGOV

Commenting on yesterday’s labour market statistics, Ian Brinkley, director of socio-economic programmes at The Work Foundation, said:

“The labour market remains weak; modest employment growth has been matched by increasing unemployment and economic inactivity comparing the three months to January with the previous three months. Some of this might be a short-term blip, but the prospects for 2011 are not encouraging as the expected large-scale job losses in the public sector have still to feed through. Meanwhile, the rise in unemployment has been largely felt by the young, increasing numbers of which are becoming long-term unemployed – a clear warning of big problems to come.”

Notes to editors

1.       There was an increase in employment of 32,000, an increase in unemployment of 27,000 and an increase in economic inactivity of 43,000. Overall, there was an increase of 93,000 in the 16+ population.

2.       There are 974,000 unemployed 16–24 year-olds. Unemployment among young people increased by 31,000 from November to January, greater than the overall increase in unemployment of 27,000.

3.       Ian Brinkley is available for interviews and briefings.

4.       The Work Foundation is the leading independent authority on work and its future. It aims to improve the quality of working life and the effectiveness of organisations by equipping leaders, policymakers and opinion-formers with evidence, advice, new thinking and networks. In October 2010, Lancaster University acquired The Work Foundation, forming a new alliance that will enable both organisations to further enhance their impact. http://www.theworkfoundation.com/

Media enquiries:

Tom Phillips 0207 976 3554 tphillips@theworkfoundation.com

Nasreen Memon 020 7976 3507 or 07825 527 036 nmemon@theworkfoundation.com