Employment crisis builds as 649,000 lose their jobs in UK following Covid-19
Official data suggests almost 650,000 UK workers have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic amid fears an employment crisis exceeding that of the 1980s is looming.
The number of people claiming work-related benefits last month - including the unemployed - was 2.6 million.
The overall jobless rate was unchanged but there are 47,000 more young people unemployed than there were a year ago.
Unemployment has not surged, as many feared, because large numbers of firms have put employees on the government-backed furlough scheme.
But economists say the full effect on employment will not be felt until the scheme ends in October.
Many young people are employed in the hospitality industry, which was largely shut down from 23 March. The retail sector, also a source of jobs for younger people, has also been hard hit by the lockdown.
A fifth of all of those claiming out-of-work benefits, 514,770, are aged between 18 and 24.
The number of young new claimants who have signed on between March and June is 276,000 - more than doubling over three months.
Are there any jobs out there at all right now?
There are not many jobs around for anyone.
Vacancies in the UK in April to June 2020 are at the lowest level since the survey began in April to June 2001, at an estimated 333,000.
"This is 23% lower than the previous record low in April to June 2009," the ONS said.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently announced a £2bn "kickstart scheme" to create more jobs for younger people struggling to find work.
Information found at:
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-employment-crisis-builds-as-649-000-lose-their-jobs-12029435
