Up to 24 people chasing every job, figures show
London one of the most competitive regions
There are more than 20 jobseekers per vacancy in some parts of the UK, new figures from Unison have revealed.
On average there are nearly four people vying for each available role in England, Scotland and Wales, according to the union’s analysis.
But job hunting in some areas was increasingly competitive, the data showed, with between five and ten Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants chasing every vacancy in 87 local authorities, and more than 10 jobseekers per role in a further 26 areas.
The hardest hit region was the Isle of Wight, where for every vacancy there were 23.7 people on JSA.
London also recorded some of the worst figures, the study showed, with more than 10 unemployed people pursuing every job in nearly a third of the capital’s 32 boroughs. In Hackney there were over 20 JSA claimants for every vacancy.
Unison said that public sector job cuts – 500,000 since May 2012 – had added to a bleak landscape in the labour market, and called for a “bold” jobs strategy in the forthcoming budget.
“The scale of the ongoing jobs crisis is deeply worrying,” said Dave Prentis, Unison’s general secretary. “Three long years of cuts – with more to come – and still there are not enough jobs to go around.
“The government does have a choice. Use the budget to outline a bold strategy for jobs and growth. Make people feel secure in their jobs and they are more likely to spend.”
Latest official figures show that the UK’s unemployment total fell 14,000 to stand at 2.50 million, resulting in an unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, separate research released today claimed that older jobseekers felt at a disadvantage in the labour market because of their age.
A survey by The Age and Employment Network found that 83 per cent of jobhunters aged over 50 felt that they were regarded as “too old” by recruiters.
Only one in ten of the 800 respondents felt that age discrimination law had helped them, and some said that the repeal of the Default Retirement Age had added to a reluctance in some organisations to hire older workers.
On average there are nearly four people vying for each available role in England, Scotland and Wales, according to the union’s analysis.
But job hunting in some areas was increasingly competitive, the data showed, with between five and ten Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants chasing every vacancy in 87 local authorities, and more than 10 jobseekers per role in a further 26 areas.
The hardest hit region was the Isle of Wight, where for every vacancy there were 23.7 people on JSA.
London also recorded some of the worst figures, the study showed, with more than 10 unemployed people pursuing every job in nearly a third of the capital’s 32 boroughs. In Hackney there were over 20 JSA claimants for every vacancy.
Unison said that public sector job cuts – 500,000 since May 2012 – had added to a bleak landscape in the labour market, and called for a “bold” jobs strategy in the forthcoming budget.
“The scale of the ongoing jobs crisis is deeply worrying,” said Dave Prentis, Unison’s general secretary. “Three long years of cuts – with more to come – and still there are not enough jobs to go around.
“The government does have a choice. Use the budget to outline a bold strategy for jobs and growth. Make people feel secure in their jobs and they are more likely to spend.”
Latest official figures show that the UK’s unemployment total fell 14,000 to stand at 2.50 million, resulting in an unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, separate research released today claimed that older jobseekers felt at a disadvantage in the labour market because of their age.
A survey by The Age and Employment Network found that 83 per cent of jobhunters aged over 50 felt that they were regarded as “too old” by recruiters.
Only one in ten of the 800 respondents felt that age discrimination law had helped them, and some said that the repeal of the Default Retirement Age had added to a reluctance in some organisations to hire older workers.
Comments
Comments in chronological order (5 comments)
Alison Smith 11 March 2013 13:22
I'm surprised by this figure. We have at least 40 applicants for
most jobs and up to 100 where generic skills only are needed.
Bev 11 March 2013 14:10
I have to agree with Alison. For each job vacancy we have recently
advertised there have been more than 100 applicants. Most of the
applicants were older and just wanted to work again, after years of
working, often, with just one employer.
Lisa 11 March 2013 14:25
Yep, I'm with Alison too. Generic skills, 80-100+ per vacancy in south east.
Barbara Louise Cohen 11 March 2013 15:33
Have your say...As a job-seeker myself, my personal experience would
bear out both Alison's and Bev's comments. I have attended 26
interviews in just over 6 months and have been informed, on several
occassions, that in excess of 150 applications had been received for the
post I was being interviewed for. Barbara
Alison Curtis MCIPD 11 March 2013 17:07
I'm only seeking part time work as a senior HR professional. Part
time advisory roles in HR are very popular but are rare at senior
levels. These vacancies are therefore attracting in excess of 200
applications.
Being an older worker in my 50s makes my job search even more difficult, as suggested in the research above.
Being an older worker in my 50s makes my job search even more difficult, as suggested in the research above.
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ANAMIKA SINGH
PGDM 2nd sem
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