Yesterday we put out the press release below - which was picked up in today's Daily Mirror, with news of a leaked memo from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showing how thousands more staff are needed to cope.
This is hardly surprising given the fact the Government has already cut 30,000 jobs, and closed 600 offices - and is still planning to cut a further 12,000 jobs and close 200 offices.
Unemployment figures underestimate real crisis, says Labour MP
Yet again, the unemployment figures released yesterday also revised up previous month's figures. This is because some job offices were unable to process claims in time, due to lack of staff.
The claimant count continues to get revised up for the prior month - in July, from 20k to 27.8k, and now also for August from 32.5k to 35.7k.
John McDonnell MP, LEAP Chair, said:
"The figures released yesterday underestimate the extent of UK unemployment because of the growing time-lag in processing claims. Dedicated staff in Jobcentre Plus are struggling to cope with rising unemployment because of the cuts imposed by Government.
"Many MPs are reporting an increase in the number of constituents experiencing delays in receiving jobseeker's allowance and crisis loans. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and it is shameful that the Government is cutting resources and attacking welfare at a time of rising unemployment.
"There should be an immediate moratorium on the Government's plans for the further closure of 200 job centre offices and cuts of 12,000 staff by 2011."
Can anyone answer this.... unemployment is counted these days on the number of people who claim a benefit, not who are registered unemployed, so simple question how many people are claiming benefits, how many people are registered.
ReplyDeleteMany people are not counted unemployed because they are doing a one half day training course, are in some form of education for only a part day, are not getting benefits because of savings redundancies payments or have a person in the home who is still working.
If you look at the economically inactive list, remove the sick the disabled carers, pensioners you get 800,000 people are these the people who are not getting benefits, if so then we are 3 million unemployed already.