Unemployment hits highest level since Thatcher era

The number of women out of work is at its highest level since Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister.

Latest figures, released yesterday, showed that 1.05 million women are currently out of work – a rise of 21,000 in the three months to June this year – along with 949,000 young people and 1.45 million men. The total number of people unemployed is now 2.49 million, an increase of 38,000 in just three months and a rise of 1,200 claiming jobseekers allowance per day. The number of men now out of work has risen by 18,000 in the same period, and unemployment among young people increased by 15,000.

Yvette Cooper, Labour’s shadow minister for women, said: “These figures show the scale of the economic assault by this Tory-led government on women’s lives. It is shocking that unemployment for women has now reached its highest level for 23 years.

“Women are being disproportionately hit by public sector job losses and rising childcare costs, making it harder and harder for mums to work.”

Chris Williamson, chief economist at financial services information company Markit, said: “Survey data indicates unemployment is likely to continue to rise in coming months as private sector employers fail to make up for public sector job cuts.”