250% rise in unemployment in Hillingdon

Dec 24 2009 By Jack Griffith

HILLINGDON heads a list of five London boroughs that have seen long-term claims for job seekers allowance more than double in the last 12 months, research shows.

A study by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the national federation of trade unions, shows that the number of claimants in Hillingdon, Kingston, Havering, Richmond and neighbouring Ealing has risen dramatically in the past year.

Hillingdon has seen the steepest ascent of all London boroughs with a 250% increase, up to 500 claimants from 200 at this time last year.

This is 100% more than the average rise across London.

It is thought that nearly 30,000 people in the capital will be spending a second successive Christmas on the dole, and it is anticipated that this figure will rise.

Although this increase is significant, it represents a figure that is significantly lower than the rest of London, and Hillingdon continues to lie in the bottom third of total claimants in comparison to other boroughs.

Ian Edwards, Head of Partnerships at Hillingdon Council, said that much is being done to tackle the problem of long term unemployment.

He said: "Hillingdon's residents continue to benefit from a higher rate of employment than the average London borough.

"The council and its partners are committed to improving the lives of all residents and there are new measures in place to offer support through the recession and to help them back into work.

"These measures include providing £150,000 for additional advice and support being delivered by the Citizens Advice Bureau and other charities working with partners to secure European funding to increase training and access to employment around Heathrow.

"We are creating new apprenticeships in the council and working with its partners to further increase opportunities for younger people. Uxbridge College also offers free careers guidance to all Hillingdon residents, and provides a wide range of courses to help people find work."

Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, said that the festive season would be tough for the 30,000 Londoners who have endured a year of unemployment, and added: “Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.

“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency."