Where are the jobs? Says UNISON

Detailed analysis by UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector trade union, shows that on average, there are more than 4* unemployed people for every advertised job vacancy in England, Scotland and Wales. London is one of the hardest hit regions, with more than 31 unemployed people for every job advertised in Hackney, and 18 for every vacant job in Lewisham.The union says that these figures spell danger for the economy and undermine hopes for a recovery. In the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) this week, the Chancellor is set to outline plans that could lead to 725,000** public sector workers in the UK losing their jobs. The knock on effect to the private sector will be huge. A recent report by PwC predicted that public spending cuts could see 500,000 private sector workers losing their jobs, and economic output falling by £46 billion.The analysis blows out of the water coalition claims that private sector growth will compensate for public sector job losses. Both sectors are being poisoned by the cuts, which will swell dole queues, and lead to mass, long-term unemployment. When large numbers of people stop spending, the economy as a whole suffers as demand plummets, and more people struggle to make ends meet on the dole. The threat of a double dip recession, and all the dangers that this entails, is looming large.The benefits bill for supporting these workers will run into billions - for public sector workers alone, increased benefits, and decreased tax payments could cost the Treasury £15 billion***. For private sector workers, the bill will add billions more.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“The coalition has got it wrong. By only having a strategy for cuts, it has no plans for growth and recovery. Their public spending cuts are poisoning the private sector and condemning the country to widespread, long-term unemployment and low growth. This means misery for millions of families and for taxpayer’s who will be left to pick up the long-term bill. “Even now, before the drastic spending cuts have hit home, there are not enough jobs to go around. On average, there are more than 4 unemployed people for every vacant job across the country.“No sector is safe from the Chancellor’s axe. Despite his claims, there will be no refuge in the private sector for the 725,000 public service workers who face losing their jobs. Private industry will be suffering too, with more than half a million jobs set to go because of the cuts.“These spending cuts are intrinsically unfair - they hit women hardest, and are deeply regressive. They deliver the biggest blow to those on low incomes, and least able to take it.“Make no mistake - these cuts are driven by ideology not necessity. The Chancellor does have a choice in his Comprehensive Spending Review next week - one that would make a real difference to our struggling economy.“Tens of billions**** could be saved without jobs being lost or services being cut, if the government cracked down on the tax avoiders and tax havens. Raising a Robin Hood Tax on the banks, making taxation fairer, or putting a stop to plans to replace Trident would save billions more, at the same time as safeguarding our recovery.“We must all fight the cuts for the sake of the economy and the future of Britain’s public and private sectors.