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Unemployment rise worst in Wales Unemployment rise worst in Wales
(30 minutes later)
Unemployment in Wales has risen sharply in the three months between July and September, the latest figures indicate. Unemployment in Wales has risen sharply in the three months between July and September, latest figures indicate.
The jobless figure rose by 14,000, taking the total to 125,000, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.The jobless figure rose by 14,000, taking the total to 125,000, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Wales lost more jobs than any other UK nation or region for the second consecutive three-month period.Wales lost more jobs than any other UK nation or region for the second consecutive three-month period.
The Welsh Assembly Government said it was encouraged by a "downward trend" in the numbers claiming unemployment benefits but it was not "complacent".The Welsh Assembly Government said it was encouraged by a "downward trend" in the numbers claiming unemployment benefits but it was not "complacent".
The Labour Force Survey data showed UK unemployment rose 30,000, the smallest rise since May 2008, to 2.46 million.The Labour Force Survey data showed UK unemployment rose 30,000, the smallest rise since May 2008, to 2.46 million.
We are at increasing risk of losing a generation to unemployment, poor health and resulting social problems Jenny Randerson AM, Liberal DemocratWe are at increasing risk of losing a generation to unemployment, poor health and resulting social problems Jenny Randerson AM, Liberal Democrat
In Wales, it means 8.7% of the workforce are out of a job, compared to 7.8% across the UK.In Wales, it means 8.7% of the workforce are out of a job, compared to 7.8% across the UK.
Figures published last month showed the loss of 24,000 jobs in the three months to August.Figures published last month showed the loss of 24,000 jobs in the three months to August.
For two months in the summer Wales bucked the trend as the only part of the UK to record falling unemployment.For two months in the summer Wales bucked the trend as the only part of the UK to record falling unemployment.
Conservative economy spokesman David Melding AM said: "These figures demonstrate that the short-termism of the Assembly Government's approach has failed to reverse this damaging rise in unemployment.Conservative economy spokesman David Melding AM said: "These figures demonstrate that the short-termism of the Assembly Government's approach has failed to reverse this damaging rise in unemployment.
"We need answers as to why, despite a small fall in unemployment over the summer, we are witnessing a surge in job losses in Wales far greater than other parts of the United Kingdom.""We need answers as to why, despite a small fall in unemployment over the summer, we are witnessing a surge in job losses in Wales far greater than other parts of the United Kingdom."
JOBLESS TOTALS AND CHANGES North east 119,000, -2,000 North west 294,000, +4,000 Yorkshire/Humber 227,000 -4,000East Midlands 173,000, +5,000West Midlands 270,000, -14,000 East 194,000, no changeLondon 367,000, + 8,000 South east 265,000, +4,000 South west 176,000, +5,000Wales 125,000, +14,000 Scotland 194,000, +4,000 N Ireland 58,000, +4,000Source: Office for National Statistics. Unemployment in nations and regions between July and SeptemberJOBLESS TOTALS AND CHANGES North east 119,000, -2,000 North west 294,000, +4,000 Yorkshire/Humber 227,000 -4,000East Midlands 173,000, +5,000West Midlands 270,000, -14,000 East 194,000, no changeLondon 367,000, + 8,000 South east 265,000, +4,000 South west 176,000, +5,000Wales 125,000, +14,000 Scotland 194,000, +4,000 N Ireland 58,000, +4,000Source: Office for National Statistics. Unemployment in nations and regions between July and September
Liberal Democrat economic spokesperson Jenny Randerson said she was particularly concerned data showing a "trend of harsh and nasty unemployment among young people".Liberal Democrat economic spokesperson Jenny Randerson said she was particularly concerned data showing a "trend of harsh and nasty unemployment among young people".
"We are at increasing risk of losing a generation to unemployment, poor health and resulting social problems," she said."We are at increasing risk of losing a generation to unemployment, poor health and resulting social problems," she said.
"These are problems which will continue long after the recession comes to an end, and the (assembly) government's cuts to the FE (Further Education) and HE (Higher Education) budgets will make this situation worse.""These are problems which will continue long after the recession comes to an end, and the (assembly) government's cuts to the FE (Further Education) and HE (Higher Education) budgets will make this situation worse."
'Encouraging''Encouraging'
But an assembly government spokesperson concentrated on the number of people claiming unemployment benefits - claimant count figures - which showed a smaller increase than in recent months.But an assembly government spokesperson concentrated on the number of people claiming unemployment benefits - claimant count figures - which showed a smaller increase than in recent months.
"Whilst it is important not to read too much into a single months figures, it is encouraging to note that the claimant count level in Wales has continued its downward trend," he said."Whilst it is important not to read too much into a single months figures, it is encouraging to note that the claimant count level in Wales has continued its downward trend," he said.
"During the early stages of the global downturn, the claimant count was rising by around 4,000 per month - tailing off to around 1,000 per month during the summer."During the early stages of the global downturn, the claimant count was rising by around 4,000 per month - tailing off to around 1,000 per month during the summer.
"Today's rise of 300, the smallest increase since the start of the recession, is an indication that the recession could be bottoming out, although we are not at all complacent and will continue to fight for every job and to maintain the skills of our workforce," the spokesperson added."Today's rise of 300, the smallest increase since the start of the recession, is an indication that the recession could be bottoming out, although we are not at all complacent and will continue to fight for every job and to maintain the skills of our workforce," the spokesperson added.