Northern TUC comment on today’s ONS unemployment figures

Commenting on today's labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics Northern TUC Regional Secretary, Kevin Rowan said: “These figures were never going to be good news given the coalition's short-sighted anti-growth strategy , but what is most alarming is that the majority of the Government's swingeing cuts won't be truly felt until after April 1st. With unemployment at a 17 year high as it stands, this could cause untold damage to the economy, especially in the northern region which is at a distinct disadvantage to begin with.

North East needs growth not cuts as unemployment bites

The north east is once again at the brunt of recessionary forces and suffering the ill-effects of rising unemployment and a shrinking jobs market. In the region there are 6370 fewer job vacancies than three years ago and 33,576 more people out of work. And this is ahead of the new financial year beginning at the start of April when many of the savage spending cuts will really begin to bite.