More needed to reinforce positive job figures, says BCC

13th September 2013

In the three months to July 2013, unemployment fell 24,000, and employment rose 80,000, compared with the previous quarter In the three months to July 2013, the unemployment rate was 7.

7%, down slightly from 7.8% Youth unemployment (16-24 year olds) rose 9,000 to 960,000, and the unemployment rate in this age group was 21% Between March and June 2013, public sector employment fell 34,000, and private sector employment rose 114,000 Commenting on the labour market figures for September, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: -The positive figures are a measure of the resilience and the flexibility of Britain's labour market. The further increase in private sector employment, at a time when the public sector is still shedding jobs, demonstrates yet again that private firms are able to drive the recovery. And while it is concerning that there were increases in youth unemployment and the long-term unemployed, it is pleasing that the number of those claiming benefits continues to fall. -The figures also show that the economy is continuing to grow while the government sticks with its deficit cutting plan. But more is needed to underpin the recovery, particularly around access to finance for viable businesses, and more support for firms looking to trade overseas.