ALMOST 200,000 people in the North West will be spending Christmas on the dole this year.
And for more than 33,000 individuals and their families in our region it will be a second Christmas without work, as cuts in public services add to the festive misery.
The number of long-term dole claimants over the Christmas period in the region has increased by 5,500 from 28,000 in 2010 to 33,645 in the last year – a 20 per cent increase, according to a new NW TUC analysis of official statistics published today (Wednesday).
Worst hit are areas like Blackburn with Darwen, where long-term unemployment (the number out of work for more than a year) has soared by an astonishing 86 per cent to 530 in the last year – the fourth highest increase in the country.
But the North West TUC says the unemployment figures do not tell the stories of thousands of people and their families who will be losing out this Christmas. The dole causes family breakdowns, hits both physical and mental health and can permanently scar people’s future prospects.
As unemployment rises, wages are also falling in real terms – leaving many families who are in work trying to enjoy Christmas on low wages.
The TUC say falling living standards has been the main cause of the economy flat-lining, with no economic growth this year. The government’s austerity measures are tightening this squeeze.
North West TUC Regional Secretary Alan Manning said: “As people gear up for the festive break, there won’t be much cheer for the 200,000 people who are spending Christmas on the dole – 33,000 for the second time.
“Unemployment is not just a personal tragedy for the families and friends of those unable to find jobs, it affects entire communities and carries a huge economic cost.
“But as the dole queues lengthen, the government brands many of those struggling for work as ‘scroungers’.
“The TUC is calling on the Coalition to tackle our mounting jobs crisis. Wage-led growth, fuelled by decent pay rises and new high quality jobs, is the only way to achieve a sustainable economic recovery.”
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- North West trade union members send Christmas message to local Coalition MPs
- 200 JOBS TO GO AS NORTH WEST BUSINESS SERVICE FACES AXE
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'Proud to serve the public’ is a North West TUC campaign to protect and promote public services in our Region. We believe public services are a vital part of the North West economy. They create jobs, stimulate growth and... 
