"An unhappy new year for older job-seekers" says Chris Ball

15/12/2011

Commenting on labour market figures released today (Wednesday 14 December) by the Office for National Statistics, Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN – The Age and Employment Network, says:

 

“This is another set of contradictory figures that will bring little in the way of seasonal cheer to many older jobseekers. While we welcome an increase of 31,000 to 7.4 million in the number of people aged 50-64 in work, it is disheartening to see that long term unemployment continues to be a significant problem for the over-50s.

 

We have seen a rise of 12,000 to 170,000 in the three months to October in the number of those aged 50-64 out of work for 12 months or longer. We are concerned that many older people may have lost faith in finding work altogether and urge the Government to make greater effort to help this age group back into work.

 

“Today’s figures are also particularly bad for older women, with a fall of 11,000 to 329,000 in the number of women aged 65 and over in work. With women making up the majority of the public sector workforce, it is obvious that the private sector is struggling to provide openings for them.

 

“Many older people need to work as a financial necessity and, unfortunately, today’s figures suggest that it will be an unhappy New Year for many.”