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North East unemployment levels hit new high.

Unemployment in the North East has increased by 12,000 in the last quarter, bringing the total number of people out of work in the region up to 148,000.

Nationally the 2.64 million people are out of work in the UK, representing 8.3% of the population. 11.7% of North East residents are out of work - higher than any other part of the country.

Commenting on the statistics, Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the Northern TUC expressed his dismay at the large numbers of individuals who are out of work.

He said: “The further rise in unemployment in the North East blows another hole in the Government’s claim that the private sector would create more jobs than were lost in the public sector.

“George Osborne’s strategy has been politically motivated and has now been exposed as economic fantasy and a failure.

“The economic pain and hardship experienced by those out of work this Christmas is all too real.”

Mr Rowan believes that the impending closure of One North East in March 2012 will have far-reaching effects on the region, which has previously been heavily reliant on the RDA as an engine for growth and recovery.

“Along with the abolition of One North East, many of the programmes which would have protected young people and safeguarded industry will go too.” he added. “Until they reverse their ideologically driven cuts agenda the region’s economy will continue to decline.

“The economy is more vulnerable now than ever and Government’s failed and flawed agenda is only making things worse.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .