CWU demands government action on jobs

The Communication Workers Union today called for "urgency not complacency" from government as jobless levels hit a 16-year high.

UK unemployment has soared to a shocking 2.62 million, with 129,000 workers losing their livelihoods in the lead up to Christmas.

And concrete evidence of just how tough times are becoming was revealed when Royal Mail announced today that it had received a record 110,000 applications for 18,000 seasonal jobs - a leap of 40,000 since last year.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said that the nation's unemployment figures were "a shameful indictment of a couldn't-care-less government.

"This is the highest jobless figure since 1994," he continued, adding: "And guess which party was in power back then? The same old Tories.

"Many will recall the then Chancellor Norman Lamont telling us that mass unemployment was 'a price worth paying'. And today we've got Prime Minister David Cameron telling us that 'we're all in this together'.

"Behind these statistics are two-and-a-half million real people, two-and-a-half million families who don't know how they're going to pay their bills, make their mortgage or rent payments - Mr Cameron, try telling them that 'we're all in this together'.

"The CWU's message to government is crystal clear - 'Put people first, lead the fight against unemployment or stand aside for a government who will. No to complacency - we need urgent action now."

Deputy general secretary (postal) Dave Ward backed Billy's call for urgent government intervention to protect jobs, saying: "Of course it's good news that some people have found Christmas jobs at Royal Mail, and of course, in the circumstances, we're not at all surprised that there have been so many applicants.

"But these Christmas jobs - while bringing some short-term cash to families - won't solve the unemployment problems of the country as the jobs will end early in the New Year as they always do when the Christmas rush subsides. The Government must act now to protect jobs."

Andy Kerr, deputy general secretary (telecoms) argued that investment is desperately needed to stimulate the jobs market and in particular advocated apprenticeships as a way of tackling both the skills gap and youth unemployment.

"Several companies we work with run apprenticeship schemes and they're really popular" Andy explained. "BT announced last year intentions to take on 500 apprentices, which we welcomed, however they're yet to fill all these positions. But much, much more is needed if we, as a nation, are to win the fight for full employment.

"Government can defeat unemployment - it's been done in the past and it can be done today. But the political will must be there, and it's up to all of us - unions, our members and the employers we deal with - to keep the pressure on government to act now to protect jobs."

*UK unemployment rose by 129,000 in the three months to September to 2.62 million, the largest since 1994, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 per cent, the highest since 1996.

*Young people are suffering particular hardship - figures of out-of work youth have broken the one million barrier

Source: CWU