Unemployment doubles in North Dorset

Figures released today show that unemployment in Dorset has increased by 113.2% in the last year. This represents an increase of 19.8% in just one month.

However, these figures hide an underlying problem for men in North Dorset. Looking just at the rise in unemployment for men shows an increase of a staggering 142.8% compared to this time last year. That’s an increase of 24.2% in the last month.

Women in North Dorset fair better: but still with an increase in unemployment of 63.9% in the last year.

UK unemployment rose to 1.97 million between October and December, the highest level since 1997.  The unemployment climbed 146,000 for the three-month period, data from the Office for National Statistics shows.

MP for North Dorset, Robert Walter, said, “Today’s figures are deeply concerning. It means that unemployment in Dorset is up for the seventh month in a row.

“We are now officially in a recession. My real fear is that it is going to take some time for our businesses here in Dorset to recover and feel confident enough to increase their work force. What we need now is for the government to stop announcing ill-thought out schemes for tomorrow’s headlines. Instead, we need to take stock and prepare a financial recovery plan for the long term.

“The government cannot hide from the fact that this recession is going to be deeper and longer than anyone thought. The government’s failure to control the banks in this country and to even recognise the global banking catastrophe must not be allowed to shield them from their responsibility to tackle the economic crisis that now affects so many businesses, both small and large."