News articles

Labour market "dodged a bullet"

It would appear the UK labour market has "dodged a bullet", according to one employment expert.

Thomas Usher, research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, said as employment levels across the country rise for the second month in a row, there is cause for optimism that job opportunities are increasing.

He commented: "This is particularly encouraging, as we might have expected overall unemployment to peak at a higher level, given the severity of the current recession. It would now seem that the UK labour market has dodged a bullet."

According to work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper, a new initiative to create more than 100,000 new opportunities for young people will mean everyone under 25 will be guaranteed a job, training or work experience after six months unemployment.

She noted every person on benefits for at least six months, whatever their age, would be at least £40 per week better off when moving into work.