Pressure on jobless to find work in Kent quadruple national average
Jobseekers are facing
tough competition for vacancies
by business editor Trevor Sturgess
Nearly 16 people on the dole are chasing every job vacancy in
Shepway, according to new figures out today.
The east Kent blackspot suffers from the highest figure - 15.7 -
of any district in Kent. Across the county, an average of 4.5
people on Jobseekers' Allowance are going for every job, higher
than the national average of four and the south east average of
2.7.
The second bleakest district for jobseekers is Thanet (15.3),
followed by Dover (15.1).
The unitary authority of Medway (7.8) is in fourth spot. The
nine other districts in descending order are Swale (6.5), Ashford
(5.3), Canterbury (4.4), Gravesham (3.8), Sevenoaks (3.1), Dartford
(three), Tunbridge Wells (2.7), Maidstone (2.4), and Tonbridge and
Malling (1.3).
The analysis by UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, is based
on official data.
It says the number of people claiming JSA is less than the total
number of unemployed in each local authority area – making the
pressure on available jobs even greater.
It claims the research exposes the "damaging" scale of the jobs
crisis and the urgent need for a bold strategy for growth and jobs
in next week's Budget.
Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said: "The scale of the
ongoing jobs crisis is deeply worrying. Three long years of cuts –
with more to come - and still there are not enough jobs to go
around."
He called on the Chancellor to "outline a bold strategy for jobs
and growth".
11/03/13
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