Very poor unemployment figures
UK unemployment rose by 118,000 in the three months to November, to 2.685 million, official figures show. The figures showed the private sector was not compensating for job losses in the public sector, with the private sector creating 5,000 in the period, while 67,000 public sector jobs were lost.
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Rise in self-employed 'odd jobbers' keeping the lid on unemployment
In its latest Work Audit report, published today, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) questions whether the current 4.14 million record level of self-employment in the UK heralds a resurgent enterprise culture and concludes that the bulk of those at present taking the self-employed route to work are part-time 'odd jobbers' desperate to avoid unemployment.
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Regional statistics face axe
Academics have reacted angrily to the news that the Department for Communities and Local Government is considering plans to cease the publication of regional statistics.
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