* Real rates of ‘worklessness’, underemployment and insecurity being masked, say Greens
* Real jobless rate at least three times higher than Government stat
* Today’s unemployment figures show economic inactivity went up despite rise in employment rate (1)
Today’s unemployment figures distort the real picture of the economy, the Green Party has said.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:
“The real rate of worklessness and underemployment is at least three times higher. The unemployment rate announced today doesn’t cover part-time workers who want full-time jobs, ‘inactive’ workers alienated from the workforce, people of working age who have retired, many students, or those who work in the home.
“No phantom headline statistics will mask the reality for millions of households. People still feel poor. Household incomes are stagnating and it is the cost of living that is rising. Over 14% of households have no one in employment and the real rate of joblessness is over 21%.” [2]
Notes:
1.