London had the highest rate of unemployment in the UK between September and November last year. While unemployment in the UK as a whole rose to 5%, the rate in London reached 6.5%, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Around 885,000 Londoners, close to 10 % of the capital’s population, currently rely on government support, and with schemes such as furlough set to end in April, there are fears that many will face a “financial cliff edge” if they are not extended.
The London Assembly’s economy committee has today written to Sadiq Khan to outline its recommendations for what he must do to address the situation.
Committee chair Leonie Cooper, said: “Today’s figures showing current unemployment levels in London are shocking, and are another stark reminder of the impact that Covid-19 has had on our economy. Thousands of Londoners are now unemployed. We must always remember the people and families behind these numbers, each and every one facing struggle. It must now be a political, as well as an economic priority, to protect as many jobs as possible.
“The economic issues that Covid-19 has created and revealed must not be looked at in isolation. There’s a golden thread that ties them all together. As the leader of London, the Mayor must work with the government on behalf of Londoners to develop a plan to support those who are suffering financially due to the pandemic.”
In addition to today’s sobering figures, recent research from City Hall and The Equal Group found that unemployment is disproportionately affecting young black men in London. The research found that 33% of black men in London are unemployed compared to 15% of white men.
This has led to the launch of the Workforce Integration Network Design Labs, a programme aimed at tackling the underrepresentation of young black men in work and focusing specifically on the construction and infrastructure industry.
Speaking about the launch, Khan said: “The launch of Design Labs will not only help employers enrich their workforce but empower them to become more, equal, more inclusive and better able to make full use of the talent we have in our city.
“Your background should have no bearing on what you can achieve yet, even in a city as diverse as London, too many young black men face barriers to employment. Every Londoner deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential and finding pathways into meaningful work is an important part of that.”
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The more that leave the more some forms of employment will disappear and that will lead to more people leaving which means high unemployment etc…
As some, like Joanthan Portes, have pointed out London’s unemployment in reality is much higher. But the fact that London is made up of so many people from other places means that much of it will be masked by people leaving the city to go home to another part of the UK or to another country. This is why I think the population fall could be very dramatic. Living in London on benefits without local family support is incredibly hard. Much easier to do it in a town where rent is half the price or even less than that. Or live with your mum and dad. Again, London is a very young city compared to other places so plenty of young people that can leave quickly and go back to family.