Unemployment

[vj32]

This bugs me everytime. BBC News:

"UK unemployment rose by 44,000 to almost 2.5 million in the three months to the end of December, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.

Youth unemployment rose to a fresh record high, with more than one in five 16 to 24-year-olds out of work after a rise of 66,000 to 965,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance increased by 2,400 last month to 1.46 million."

How do they calculate the number of unemployed (as opposed to the number of people JSA which is easy to track?) I presume they are just guessing at unemployment, so why is this being reported as fact.

Secondly, there is no way of reliably tracking 16 and 17 year old unemployment, because they cannot claim JSA. So I know that bit of the stats are made up.

It just annoys me every time new 'figures' are released!

Is that higher figure all the people claiming pre-retirement out of work benefits?

Lots of unemployed people cant claim jsa so that figure is always a huge underestimate of total unemployment.

Is that higher figure all the people claiming pre-retirement out of work benefits?

Lots of unemployed people cant claim jsa so that figure is always a huge underestimate of total unemployment.

I know what you mean VJ. I am currently claiming JSA but as it is contribution based I won't be eligible after March and so will sign off. Do I then stay on the unemployment figures or am I then classed as a SAHM??

I am out of work but because my partner works, I don't get a single penny. I hope I am still counted in the unemployment figures as that is what I am.
I also hope that anyone that doesn't work but is claiming benefits is counted. Eg, I assume single mothers that rely on the state are counted but parents that are supported by their other half are not counted.

Single mums only claim JSA when their eldest is seven as they are not obliged to find work until then. Before that it is income support.