Labour Market
Jobseeker’s Allowance is worth less and harder to claim than ever before
While unemployment is continuing to rise, & the labour market remains fragile, the rate of increase in unemployment has been slower than we could have expected.
Labour market interventions reduce real cost of recession
The Express today claim that 'Benefits cost families £20 a week.' But the impact of the recession on employment was much worse in the 1980s.
Today’s surprise employment stats should be treated with caution
The JSA claimant count fell in November for the first time since early 2008. But the good news should be treated with caution - the worst may still be to come.
1980s recession was worse for young people
In the 1980s, 26% of 16-24 year olds were not in full-time education and either unemployed or economically inactive. The current figure is 21%, or 1.6 million.
Irish budget cuts praised by British Tories but criticised at home
The Irish economy, so beloved of the British Right, is in dire straits compared to our own, with unemployment at 12.5pc, GDP down 7.4pc and deflation at -6.6pc.
Red lines for a progressive PBR
Left Foot Forward sets out five red lines for a progressive Pre-Budget Report. We will assess the PBR against these criteria on the day of the report.