News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

job-centre-unemployment-main_article_image.jpg
PA
UK News

Christian charity concerned by unemployment rise

Christians Against Poverty said an increase in the jobless number by 15,000 showed the country should always be thinking about those unable to get work.

The Office for National Statistics said the unemployment figure had gone up for the first time in more than two years and now stands at 1.85 million.

It said the increase was the first quarterly jump in the number since the three months to March 2013.

PA

ONS statistician Nick Palmer said: "It's possible that the rate of improvement in the labour market that we have seen over the last three years may have eased off, though it is too early to be certain."

James Carne from Christians Against Poverty's job clubs told Premier it was concerning.

He said: "The concern is always actually what's going on for individuals.

"So we're still seeing, whether it's up or down, over 1.8 million people unemployed at the moment, so we need to be concerned about any time unemployment starts to rise.

"We always need to be considering the individuals and the impact that is going to have on them - being unemployed."

He added that churches had a responsibility to help people looking for work and said CAP's job clubs could offer support to Christians who were finding it hard to get a job.

But the figures also showed that pay rises continued to accelerate, with average weekly earnings up by 3.2% year-on-year in the three months to May, up from 2.7% in the three months to April.

It is the strongest rate since April 2010 and with inflation hovering at around zero, it means that real terms pay is improving at a rate not seen for nearly eight years.

Regular pay excluding bonuses rose by 2.8%, the highest rate since February 2009.

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: "The strength of the UK labour market is something we should take great pride in.

"Today's figures show real wages growing at the fastest rate since 2007, and near record numbers of women in work.

"As part of our one nation government, we want everyone to succeed and achieve their full potential.

"With the Government's new productivity plan, and introduction of the new living wage, we are ensuring everyone benefits from the economic recovery."

Premier's Antony Bushfield speaking to James Carne from Christians Against Poverty's job clubs:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate