35,000 fewer jobs in South West, says TUC as general secretary Frances O'Grady visits region
There were 35,000 fewer jobs in the South West at the end of last year than before the recession, according to the latest workforce Jobs figures published by the Office for National Statistics.
The workforce jobs figures show that September 2007 and September 2012, the number of jobs in the South West fell by 35,000. Across the UK only three regions – London, the South East and Wales – experienced any net growth in jobs.
The TUC, whose leader Frances O’Grady visits the region today (Wednesday), says job creation in key industries across the South West has not been strong enough to replace heavy job losses elsewhere.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “While the South West has managed to avoid the levels of mass unemployment we saw in the 80s, job creation across the region is still patchy. It’s great that jobs are being created in science and health, but we need to see more work across all sectors of the economy.
"The fact that the construction industry in the South West has shrunk by 14 per cent in the last five years is not just bad news for workers – it’s bad for the economy too.”
The figures show that between September 2007 and September 2012:
- Professional scientific & technical jobs rose by 29,000 (+17%)
- Human health & social work jobs rose by 25,000 (+7%)
However, these job gains were offset by heavy losses in other industries:
- Jobs in construction fell by 30,000 (-14%)
- Jobs in manufacturing fell by 15,000 (-6%)
- Jobs in public administration and defence fell by 12,000 (-7%)
- Jobs in retail fell by 17,000 (-4%).
Further TUC analysis shows that another 395,000 jobs are needed for young people across the UK in order for their job prospects to return to its pre-recession health.
The TUC is calling on new investment in infrastructure to boost job creation across the UK and a job guarantee for any young people out of work for at least six months.
Frances O’Grady said: “The job prospects facing young people are particularly tough. The government should do more to help them gain a foothold on the career ladder by offering a job guarantee to any young person out of work for six months.
“We also need to see action to stimulate demand in the economy. We cannot afford to return to business as usual, where jobs and growth is concentrated in too few sectors and in small pockets of the country. That’s why we want to see investment in housing, transport and energy now to get the whole of Britain working again.”
Frances O'Grady is speaking at the Festival of Ideas in Bristol at lunchtime, visiting the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton in the afternoon, and attending the South West TUC's Reps Awards at Exeter City FC in the evening.
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