to think the government doesn't really know unemployment is falling??

[vj32]

Really? Is it?

It says on the news the number of unemployed is falling. But is it just the number of people claiming JSA has fallen?

Because many people cannot claim JSA so do not sign on and so there is no record anywhere of them being 'unemployed'. So unless the government is very very clever, they are just making it up. This annoys me whenever they release these figures. It is badly reported in the press, and spun by the government.

Especially when they talk about youth unemployment, which I know they completely make up as U18s can't claim JSA. And there is no longer a Connexions service in many areas, so there is no one keeping track of school leavers.

This completely irrationally perhaps, really annoys me. Especially as I am unemployed and on JSA, but won't be after August if I can't get a job by then. I will be one of those who isn't counted.

They don't even know the true population figure so how the hell will they know true unemployment figures. Pure media hype.

i was made redundant and haven't claim as i have redundancy (as bet many others do) will have to claim soon though as i am running out! bet i'm not alone by a long shot

Dh & I have both been unemployed in last couple of years but didn't claim.

surely the better way is the approx assumed population over the age of 18 and under 65 minus the total number of people paying income tax, claiming dla, and in full time education - and you still wouldn't be anywhere close

I am one of those that is still unemployed but not claiming JSA. I was only entitled to 6 months of it since my wife works. I have only had about 20 weeks of temp work in the past year and am still out of work. One thing that tells me that unemployment is still high is the lack of suitable (meaning ones I'm qualified for) jobs coming up on the job sites. A year ago I was applying for 5 or 6 a week and now I'm lucky if I see 1 or 2 a week. Things up here in the north are pretty dire...

My DH has been unemployed but not claimed too. He has a job now but I don't believe the figures either. They're lying. Also it could be that people who would have had full time jobs now have part time and are scraping by.

I've been doing some digging and the average figures nationally may have actually fallen but certain regions, like Yorkshire, the numbers are still rising.

I have had a few friends who have been made redundant, they have been put on work scemes, that are not 'proper' jobs, but they don't count in the benefit figures. The same is happening with those on ESA and younger people.

It is a manipulation of those claiming benefits.

Other reports by charities show that youth unemployment in some areas is up by as much as 70%, but it has risen everywhere, as have other groups.

I think that most young people are coming to terms with th elack of work, my DD is 16 and leaving school, all of her friends are looking at staying in study, because they know that there is nothing out there (in my region).

What worries me is that some of these 'work schemes' are now including social care jobs in hospitals, as well as home care and this will only compromise care and standards.

Just to add that you have to realise that most made redundant, who have partners cannot claim benefits, so don't show up.

I am also unemployed and not claiming JSA. It has struck me for a while that they massage the figures. Last time I was unemployed I also didn't claim as I lived with my parents and they wanted me to get a job I wanted rather than being forced to apply for things that wouldn't help my career progression.

I wish I could register on the figures so it would help somehow to point out how many people truly are unemployed, especially recent graduates (like me). OTOH I am trying to get into a very specific industry and, whilst DP can support me, I need to focus on getting there rather than meeting a quota of applications for any random jobs (not heard good things about JC advice/being asked to apply for inappropriate positions). That means doing things that, AFAIK, would disqualify me from JSA, like volunteering in industry.

Can the government not track unemployment through NI? Whether claiming JSA or not? Is NI not a 'record' the government can refer to?

southeast you can claim regardless of the redundancy, they do not count it if you have worked and paid tax etc in the year up to redundancy. they pay out for 6 months as contribution based after that income is taken into account. check it out as you may be losing out as this is only for 6 months.

Even if they do it by NI, how do they tell who is unemployed and looking for work, or e.g. a SAHM/D?

Another unemployed and not entitled to benefits here.

I don't think it is, it is going to rise regardless as those people working part time will be better off not working at all once their tax credits are reduced.