Politics LIVE: Rachel Reeves hit by fresh blow ahead of Budget
Rachel Reeves came under fire after new figures showed the rate of unemployment hit its highest level for more than four years The jobless rate increased unexpectedly to 4.8% in the three months to August, up from 4.7% in the previous three months, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This is the highest since March to January 2021, at the height of the pandemic, although the ONS said the figure needs to be treated with caution as it continues to overhaul its labour market survey.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “The only thing growing under Labour is the unemployment queue and the national debt.
"The Conservatives left office with unemployment at near record lows and the fastest-growing economy in the G7. In just over a year, Labour has killed growth and crushed jobs and livelihoods, with families paying the price.
“Keir Starmer has no backbone and is too weak to stand up to his own backbenchers to cut welfare and get people back into work. Now families face another Rachel Reeves’ tax raid, which will pile on pressure on workers and punish the businesses that create jobs."
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Reform UK is in the lead with 27%, unchanged from the week before, in the latest YouGov poll.
Labour is second with 20% and the Tories are third with 17%, both also unchanged.
The Lib Dems are down one point on 16%, while the Greens are up one to 13% which is the highest score the pollster has recorded for the party to date.
The poll of 2,321 people was carried out from October 12-13.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham blamed rising unemployment on "chronically low investment and a failed net zero plan".
She said: “The UK economy needs a co-ordinated industrial strategy backed by serious investment. To do anything else risks workers in Britain being thrown on the scrap heap and rising unemployment.
“Other economies like Germany are investing heavily in their industries and the UK is lagging way behind.
“Chronically low investment and a failed net zero plan is delivering a jobless transition.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “The only thing growing under Labour is the unemployment queue and the national debt.
"The Conservatives left office with unemployment at near record lows and the fastest-growing economy in the G7. In just over a year, Labour has killed growth and crushed jobs and livelihoods, with families paying the price.
“Keir Starmer has no backbone and is too weak to stand up to his own backbenchers to cut welfare and get people back into work. Now families face another Rachel Reeves’ tax raid, which will pile on pressure on workers and punish the businesses that create jobs.
“Only the Conservatives have the plan to do the right thing for the next generation by freeing business to create more jobs, drive growth, and deliver a stronger economy built on work, not welfare.”
The rate of unemployment has hit its highest level for more than four years, official figures show.
The jobless rate increased unexpectedly to 4.8% in the three months to August, up from 4.7% in the previous three months, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This is the highest since March to January 2021, at the height of the pandemic, although the ONS said the figure needs to be treated with caution as it continues to overhaul its labour market survey.
express.co.uk
