Jobless Figures Highlight Fragile Nature Of Recovery - Unite

The fragile nature of the so-called economic recovery, particularly outside London and the south east, has been highlighted by the latest rise in unemployment, according to Unite the union.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "For the first time in two years there have been two consecutive monthly rises in the jobless figures. This is the first crack in the edifice of post-election Tory economic triumphalism.

"Outside London and the south east, the benefits of the so-called recovery are not being felt. There is a real issue that most of the jobs being created are in the lower paid sectors and there is a proliferation of those working as self-employed, when they want full-time and permanent jobs.

"Fragility and insecurity in the jobs market are the hallmarks of George Osborne's economic programme. There is a real fear that the jobs market is levelling off with little in the way of ideas on the creation of decent jobs coming from this government.

"We need ministers to assist with solutions to tackle this continuing climate of insecurity. This will not be achieved by making working lives tougher with the brutal removal of tax credits for low earners."