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One in six homes 'have no work' One in six homes 'have no work'
(about 2 hours later)
More than one in six UK homes which house at least one person of working age does not have anyone in employment, official statistics show.More than one in six UK homes which house at least one person of working age does not have anyone in employment, official statistics show.
This is the highest rate since 1999, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.This is the highest rate since 1999, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
The number of workless households hit 3.3 million in April to June, a 240,000 rise compared with a year earlier.The number of workless households hit 3.3 million in April to June, a 240,000 rise compared with a year earlier.
The issue was most acute in the north-east of England, and the lowest rate was in the eastern region of England.The issue was most acute in the north-east of England, and the lowest rate was in the eastern region of England.
A workless household is defined by the ONS as a home which includes at least one person of working age, where nobody aged 16 or over is in employment.A workless household is defined by the ONS as a home which includes at least one person of working age, where nobody aged 16 or over is in employment.
As a result, the statistics do not include pensioner households, and student houses are also excluded from the figures.As a result, the statistics do not include pensioner households, and student houses are also excluded from the figures.
StatisticsStatistics
The proportion of households where no adults work rose by 1.1% in April to June 2009 compared with the same period a year earlier, to 16.9% - or nearly one in six working-age households.The proportion of households where no adults work rose by 1.1% in April to June 2009 compared with the same period a year earlier, to 16.9% - or nearly one in six working-age households.
'No-one in our house works''No-one in our house works'
This was the highest rate since 1999 and marked the largest year-on-year increase since comparable statistics were first collected in 1997.This was the highest rate since 1999 and marked the largest year-on-year increase since comparable statistics were first collected in 1997.
The rate was highest in the north-east of England - 23.2% - and lowest in the east of England - 12.2%.The rate was highest in the north-east of England - 23.2% - and lowest in the east of England - 12.2%.
Of the households that are workless, the rate was highest in lone-parent households, at 40.4%, followed by one-person households, at 30.1%.Of the households that are workless, the rate was highest in lone-parent households, at 40.4%, followed by one-person households, at 30.1%.
But the proportion of lone parents who are in work has risen again. This was up 0.4% in the second quarter of the year compared with the same period a year ago, to 56.7%.But the proportion of lone parents who are in work has risen again. This was up 0.4% in the second quarter of the year compared with the same period a year ago, to 56.7%.
More married and cohabiting fathers are spending time at home, rather than at work, the figures show. The employment rate of this group showed the largest fall, down 2.1% to 88.8%.More married and cohabiting fathers are spending time at home, rather than at work, the figures show. The employment rate of this group showed the largest fall, down 2.1% to 88.8%.
'Recession effect''Recession effect'
The total number of working-age people in workless households stood at 4.8 million in April to June 2009, up 500,000 on a year earlier.The total number of working-age people in workless households stood at 4.8 million in April to June 2009, up 500,000 on a year earlier.
The number of children in workless households also increased, the figures show. This was up 170,000 to 1.9 million.The number of children in workless households also increased, the figures show. This was up 170,000 to 1.9 million.
"The distribution of unemployment among households has the effect of concentrating the negative consequences of worklessness among families where no family member works," said John Atkinson, associate director at the Institute for Employment Studies."The distribution of unemployment among households has the effect of concentrating the negative consequences of worklessness among families where no family member works," said John Atkinson, associate director at the Institute for Employment Studies.
"Eighteen months ago, worklessness was in decline. Government programmes encouraging lone parents and the long-term sick back into employment were a part of that success story. Today we can see that the recession is unravelling much of that progress."Eighteen months ago, worklessness was in decline. Government programmes encouraging lone parents and the long-term sick back into employment were a part of that success story. Today we can see that the recession is unravelling much of that progress.
"The concentration of worklessness among families has serious consequences for the children within them, and this cuts directly across government policy on child poverty.""The concentration of worklessness among families has serious consequences for the children within them, and this cuts directly across government policy on child poverty."
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