Link to the video: Reuters Video
Feb 2 - Kraft set to seal Cadbury's deal, as workers fear future job losses and march on parliament in London.
Penny Tweedie reports.
Showing posts with label redundancies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redundancies. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Monday, 26 October 2009
BA cabin crew's strike ballot
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
In the middle of the postal dispute, 14,000 British Airways cabin crew are being balloted on industrial action in a row over new employment contracts. John Sparks reports.
BA wants to cut nearly 4,000 jobs, but said it would not reduce the salaries of current cabin crews, who are better paid than staff at other airlines in the country.
Three more days of nationwide postal strikes are also looming this week. Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union met today at the Trades Union Congress to try to settle their dispute over pay and modernisation.
Unite said 14,000 of its members at the airline will vote on whether to launch a campaign of action in protest over the imposition of the new employment contracts.
Derek Simpson, the union's joint general secretary, said: "BA management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative.
"We will strongly support our members if they vote for industrial action, while of course remaining ready to negotiate with the company.
"Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations."
Cabin crew had already decided to hold an emergency meeting next Monday to decide whether to fight plans to cut jobs, freeze pay and introduce worse wages and conditions for new staff.
Thousands of workers are expected to attend the meeting, at Sandown Racecourse in Surrey, two weeks before the cuts come into effect. Two former sections of the Transport and General Workers Union - Bassa and Cabin Crew 89 - have joined forces for the first time in over 20 years to hold the joint meeting.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh met with Unite leaders earlier this month after which the airline issued a statement which said: "The discussion, about cabin crew pay and productivity issues, was open and frank."
Unite have complained that the changes being introduced next month constituted a "fundamental attack" on the jobs, wages and career prospects of all 14,000 cabin crew members of the union.
"They will not only hit the customer service core of the business, but will forever undermine BA's international reputation as a premier airline with premier crew providing a premier service.
"You are now being bullied into the very real possibility of accepting inferior contracts in just a few weeks' time," union leaders said in a letter to workers earlier this month.
"While we accept these are tough times for aviation generally, we do not accept that this is a company on its knees. This is still a prestigious airline with a high reputation to uphold not only at home, but also around the globe."
BA has announced plans to cut staff numbers by 3,700, in addition to a reduction of around 2,500 achieved between June 2008 and March 2009.
Talks between BA and Unite and the GMB have been continuing for months, with little sign of reaching an agreement. BA insisted it had to cut costs in the face of a downturn in travel caused by the recession.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Jaguar Land Rover to close UK plant
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By Channel 4 News
Jaguar Land Rover is closing one of its three British factories, but says there will be no compulsory redundancies.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it intended to close one of its factories in the West Midlands.
Either Castle Bromwich or Solihull will be closed with a final decision to be made next year.
Around 7,000 people are employed across both the sites. But Jaguar, who is owned by the Indian firm Tata, insists there will be no compulsory redundancies.
The company also said it will create 800 new jobs at its factory on Merseyside.
Jaguar Land Rover gave details of a new business plan it said was designed to increase its global competitiveness significantly, drive growth and sustained profitability, and respond to the challenges of climate change.
Chief executive David Smith said: "This is a plan that recognises the impact the economic collapse has had on our business, and at the same time the opportunities that lie ahead for these two great brands.
"We are confident that a new, more efficient and competitive structure combined with future investment will unlock the true potential of this business."
Jaguar Land Rover employs more than 14,000 people, including 2,000 at its Halewood plant near Liverpool, 5,500 at Solihull and approximately 2,200 people at Castle Bromwich.
The Castle Bromwich site thought to be most at risk, though a union agreement promises no compulsory redundancies.
The future for the company will be fuel-efficient cars. The LRX, the smallest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever, is to be built in Halewood, with the creation of 800 new jobs. And Jaguar will launch new, lightweight sport cars, with electric or hybrid engines.
Jaguar Land Rover has been losing money since the Indian company Tata bought it from Ford last year. Demand for its luxury cars and four-wheel drive vehicles has been hit by high fuel prices and the recession. From April to June the company lost £62m.
The company has already responded to the downturn over the past year by cutting production by 100,000, axing 2,500 jobs, freezing pay and cancelling bonuses.
Tata had asked the government for a bailout, but when the terms offered were too harsh, it managed to raise cash from private sources.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Today's announcement of Jaguar Land Rover's business plan shows how focused it is on the future of the industry and the opportunities available as we move to a low carbon future.
"The Government will continue to do everything it can to help businesses fully exploit the opportunities that green manufacturing has to offer.
"I know that trading conditions are difficult for the car industry as a whole. It is inevitable that we will see further re-structuring across the industry.
"There is global over-capacity and car manufacturers recognise that they have to take some of this capacity out and cut back on their costs. There are opportunities and that's why we must continue to innovate and lead the way."
By Channel 4 News
Jaguar Land Rover is closing one of its three British factories, but says there will be no compulsory redundancies.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it intended to close one of its factories in the West Midlands.
Either Castle Bromwich or Solihull will be closed with a final decision to be made next year.
Around 7,000 people are employed across both the sites. But Jaguar, who is owned by the Indian firm Tata, insists there will be no compulsory redundancies.
The company also said it will create 800 new jobs at its factory on Merseyside.
Jaguar Land Rover gave details of a new business plan it said was designed to increase its global competitiveness significantly, drive growth and sustained profitability, and respond to the challenges of climate change.
Chief executive David Smith said: "This is a plan that recognises the impact the economic collapse has had on our business, and at the same time the opportunities that lie ahead for these two great brands.
"We are confident that a new, more efficient and competitive structure combined with future investment will unlock the true potential of this business."
Jaguar Land Rover employs more than 14,000 people, including 2,000 at its Halewood plant near Liverpool, 5,500 at Solihull and approximately 2,200 people at Castle Bromwich.
The Castle Bromwich site thought to be most at risk, though a union agreement promises no compulsory redundancies.
The future for the company will be fuel-efficient cars. The LRX, the smallest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever, is to be built in Halewood, with the creation of 800 new jobs. And Jaguar will launch new, lightweight sport cars, with electric or hybrid engines.
Jaguar Land Rover has been losing money since the Indian company Tata bought it from Ford last year. Demand for its luxury cars and four-wheel drive vehicles has been hit by high fuel prices and the recession. From April to June the company lost £62m.
The company has already responded to the downturn over the past year by cutting production by 100,000, axing 2,500 jobs, freezing pay and cancelling bonuses.
Tata had asked the government for a bailout, but when the terms offered were too harsh, it managed to raise cash from private sources.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Today's announcement of Jaguar Land Rover's business plan shows how focused it is on the future of the industry and the opportunities available as we move to a low carbon future.
"The Government will continue to do everything it can to help businesses fully exploit the opportunities that green manufacturing has to offer.
"I know that trading conditions are difficult for the car industry as a whole. It is inevitable that we will see further re-structuring across the industry.
"There is global over-capacity and car manufacturers recognise that they have to take some of this capacity out and cut back on their costs. There are opportunities and that's why we must continue to innovate and lead the way."
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Vauxhall deal puts British jobs under threat
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By Channel 4 News
Fears are growing over thousands of British jobs following the decision by General Motors to sell Vauxhall and the rest of its European business to the Canadian parts maker Magna.
Germany stumped up billions of pounds to secure the deal and will now keep all four of its car plants open.
Chancellor Angela Merkel could barely contain her delight but workers at the UK's two plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port said they were "devastated" at the news and feared for their long-term future.
The deal suggests the British plants will continue to produce vehicles until 2012, but after that only production plants in Germany are likely to have a guaranteed future.
Pat McFadden MP, minister for business, told Channel 4 News: "We've been told that Magna see a continued production future in both Ellesmere Port and Luton.
"I don't think they've put a time limit on that.
"What we want to do in the weeks and months ahead is to make sure there is a future for both of those plants.
"Peter Mandelson has been in constant touch with both Magna and the General Motors board. We've been talking to all parties throughout this.
"There has not been a negotiating table that we haven't been at. If there's been a meeting in Germany that we've not been at I'm sure there's been a meeting in the UK they've not been at.
"I don't think you can say that somehow we have not been active on this. I don't think that's what the union are saying today. They know that we've made significant efforts on their behalf.
"I've got confidence in the UK workforce and the products they make and we want to make sure they've got a secure future going forward."
General Motors has been considering rival bids for its European arm of the company since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. A competing bid was made by RHJ International, a Brussels-based investment house.
Unite's joint general-secretary Tony Woodley said: "I think we could have had an unmitigated disaster if General Motors had gone into receivership and liquidation. But we've got a major disappointment.
"Magna clearly are not our preferred buyer because their plans for Britain at the moment allow us to be uncertain about the future of both our Luton and Ellesmere Port plants.
"It's secure at the moment for the next four years certainly in both of those plants but time flies and in our industry we require 14 years' security.
"I don't think either of the plants have a very clear long-term future at the moment because the Magna deal identifies a lack of investment and lack of product beyond the new Astra at Ellesmere Port that's just coming off the tracks now and beyond the deal with Renault that sees vans coming off the Luton tracks.
"You've got a general election in Germany. They've obviously been prepared to put politics at the forefront and offer Magna a blank cheque.
"Germany's the largest partner in General Motors Europe. It's got most of the plants and most of the employees so they've got to cut a deal but the deal is far from done and dusted here. If I was sitting in the Antwerp plant I'd be much more worried than my Vauxhall plants at the moment.
"But we've got to get the Government back on board and make it clear to Magna they can't sack our people and expect to pick up our marketplace, the goodwill of a workforce and maybe as much as £500 million from the Government.
"So there are some hard negotiations now to take place."
More videos linked to article at Channel 4 News
By Channel 4 News
Fears are growing over thousands of British jobs following the decision by General Motors to sell Vauxhall and the rest of its European business to the Canadian parts maker Magna.
Germany stumped up billions of pounds to secure the deal and will now keep all four of its car plants open.
Chancellor Angela Merkel could barely contain her delight but workers at the UK's two plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port said they were "devastated" at the news and feared for their long-term future.
The deal suggests the British plants will continue to produce vehicles until 2012, but after that only production plants in Germany are likely to have a guaranteed future.
Pat McFadden MP, minister for business, told Channel 4 News: "We've been told that Magna see a continued production future in both Ellesmere Port and Luton.
"I don't think they've put a time limit on that.
"What we want to do in the weeks and months ahead is to make sure there is a future for both of those plants.
"Peter Mandelson has been in constant touch with both Magna and the General Motors board. We've been talking to all parties throughout this.
"There has not been a negotiating table that we haven't been at. If there's been a meeting in Germany that we've not been at I'm sure there's been a meeting in the UK they've not been at.
"I don't think you can say that somehow we have not been active on this. I don't think that's what the union are saying today. They know that we've made significant efforts on their behalf.
"I've got confidence in the UK workforce and the products they make and we want to make sure they've got a secure future going forward."
General Motors has been considering rival bids for its European arm of the company since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. A competing bid was made by RHJ International, a Brussels-based investment house.
Unite's joint general-secretary Tony Woodley said: "I think we could have had an unmitigated disaster if General Motors had gone into receivership and liquidation. But we've got a major disappointment.
"Magna clearly are not our preferred buyer because their plans for Britain at the moment allow us to be uncertain about the future of both our Luton and Ellesmere Port plants.
"It's secure at the moment for the next four years certainly in both of those plants but time flies and in our industry we require 14 years' security.
"I don't think either of the plants have a very clear long-term future at the moment because the Magna deal identifies a lack of investment and lack of product beyond the new Astra at Ellesmere Port that's just coming off the tracks now and beyond the deal with Renault that sees vans coming off the Luton tracks.
"You've got a general election in Germany. They've obviously been prepared to put politics at the forefront and offer Magna a blank cheque.
"Germany's the largest partner in General Motors Europe. It's got most of the plants and most of the employees so they've got to cut a deal but the deal is far from done and dusted here. If I was sitting in the Antwerp plant I'd be much more worried than my Vauxhall plants at the moment.
"But we've got to get the Government back on board and make it clear to Magna they can't sack our people and expect to pick up our marketplace, the goodwill of a workforce and maybe as much as £500 million from the Government.
"So there are some hard negotiations now to take place."
More videos linked to article at Channel 4 News
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Scotland's growing alcohol problem
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
Which is the bigger problem, the future of Scotland's favourite drink or Scotland's chronic drink problem? Girish Juneja reports.
As Scotland's historic whisky industry suffers another blow this week, with another major producer Whyte and Mackay announcing job cuts, the Scotch industry says it wants to curb goverment efforts to stop binge drinking.
Whyte and Mackay confirmed that it would shed up to one sixth of its Scottish workforce, shedding around 85 jobs.
The company, owned by an Indian billionaire, may also shed another 15 overseas sales staff.
On 26 June, 20,000 people took to the streets in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, to protest over plans to axe 900 jobs.
Drinks giant Diageo announced plans to close the plant in the Scottish town which bottles Johnnie Walker whisky, which could lead to a loss of 700 jobs.
Another 200 jobs may be lost under plans for the company to close its Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow.
Diageo has said it will "offset" the closures with 400 new jobs at its Fife packaging plant. As well as the Fife expansion the drinks firm has said a coopering centre will be created in Clackmannanshire, and has stated there will be no compulsory redundancies for one year.
The Scottish government has pledged to support the distilleries, but with one of the worst alcoholism rates in Europe, critics say it is the national drink problem not the national drink which should be the priority.
Which is the bigger problem, the future of Scotland's favourite drink or Scotland's chronic drink problem? Girish Juneja reports.
As Scotland's historic whisky industry suffers another blow this week, with another major producer Whyte and Mackay announcing job cuts, the Scotch industry says it wants to curb goverment efforts to stop binge drinking.
Whyte and Mackay confirmed that it would shed up to one sixth of its Scottish workforce, shedding around 85 jobs.
The company, owned by an Indian billionaire, may also shed another 15 overseas sales staff.
On 26 June, 20,000 people took to the streets in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, to protest over plans to axe 900 jobs.
Drinks giant Diageo announced plans to close the plant in the Scottish town which bottles Johnnie Walker whisky, which could lead to a loss of 700 jobs.
Another 200 jobs may be lost under plans for the company to close its Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow.
Diageo has said it will "offset" the closures with 400 new jobs at its Fife packaging plant. As well as the Fife expansion the drinks firm has said a coopering centre will be created in Clackmannanshire, and has stated there will be no compulsory redundancies for one year.
The Scottish government has pledged to support the distilleries, but with one of the worst alcoholism rates in Europe, critics say it is the national drink problem not the national drink which should be the priority.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Steel giant Corus cuts 2,000 jobs
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By Nick Martin
The struggling steelmaker has made the redundancies in another round of sweeping job losses across the country.
Plants in Rotherham and Scunthorpe will be hardest hit - as the company blamed a slump in demand.
The government called it "very disappointing news" and said it was working with Corus to help secure the futures of as many workers as possible.
But union leaders said it was now a fight for the future of British steelmaking.
By Nick Martin
The struggling steelmaker has made the redundancies in another round of sweeping job losses across the country.
Plants in Rotherham and Scunthorpe will be hardest hit - as the company blamed a slump in demand.
The government called it "very disappointing news" and said it was working with Corus to help secure the futures of as many workers as possible.
But union leaders said it was now a fight for the future of British steelmaking.
800 British Airways staff to work unpaid
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By John Sparks
They were asked to work for nothing - and 800 BA staff have volunteered to work unpaid for up to a month to help the struggling airline cut costs.
In all, almost 7,000 BA employees have agreed to take some kind of pay cut, including unpaid leave and switching to part time work.
The airline called it a "fantastic response" which would save up to £10m.
But this programme understands that BA's proposed cost-cutting goes far deeper, with plans to slash salaries of cabin crew and cut jobs to a minimum.
Mick Rix, the national officer for aviation at the GMB union, gave his view on the current situation.
By John Sparks
They were asked to work for nothing - and 800 BA staff have volunteered to work unpaid for up to a month to help the struggling airline cut costs.
In all, almost 7,000 BA employees have agreed to take some kind of pay cut, including unpaid leave and switching to part time work.
The airline called it a "fantastic response" which would save up to £10m.
But this programme understands that BA's proposed cost-cutting goes far deeper, with plans to slash salaries of cabin crew and cut jobs to a minimum.
Mick Rix, the national officer for aviation at the GMB union, gave his view on the current situation.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Setanta Sports goes off air
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By Benjamin Cohen
Struggling sports broadcaster Setanta goes off-air after announcing it is to axe 200 jobs as efforts to rescue the business fail.
By Benjamin Cohen
Struggling sports broadcaster Setanta goes off-air after announcing it is to axe 200 jobs as efforts to rescue the business fail.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Total sacks 900 oil workers
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By James Blake
Workers at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire have been sacked following wildcat strikes over disputed redundancies.
The workers walked out last week in a disagreement over redundancies - a move plant owner Total says was unofficial and illegal.
In the past few days workers at other oil plants and power stations have conducted their own wildcat strikes in sympathy.
By James Blake
Workers at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire have been sacked following wildcat strikes over disputed redundancies.
The workers walked out last week in a disagreement over redundancies - a move plant owner Total says was unofficial and illegal.
In the past few days workers at other oil plants and power stations have conducted their own wildcat strikes in sympathy.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Hopes for Vauxhall
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By Faisal Islam
Canadian-Austrian car parts maker Magna International has reportedly reached a tentative deal to rescue GM Europe, owner of Vauxhall.
Five thousand British carmaking jobs depend on it - tonight an initial rescue deal for GM Europe - which owns Vauxhall and Opel - is on the verge of agreement.
Along with the US government, the new owners, the Canadian car parts maker Magna and its Russian banking partner, have offered to provide short term funding.
The Business secretary Lord Mandelson said he had been seeking confirmation as soon as possible, that no Vauxhall jobs would be lost in the UK.
Earlier in the day, the future of Vauxhall, which employs 5,500 UK workers and has plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port, seemed uncertain after strong bidder Italian car maker Fiat pulled our of the take-over negotiations with the German government.
An agreement between Magna and GM Europe would guarantee there are less job cuts than the proposed cuts by other bidders, reports said. But Magna still needs to obtain clearance from the German government.
By Faisal Islam
Canadian-Austrian car parts maker Magna International has reportedly reached a tentative deal to rescue GM Europe, owner of Vauxhall.
Five thousand British carmaking jobs depend on it - tonight an initial rescue deal for GM Europe - which owns Vauxhall and Opel - is on the verge of agreement.
Along with the US government, the new owners, the Canadian car parts maker Magna and its Russian banking partner, have offered to provide short term funding.
The Business secretary Lord Mandelson said he had been seeking confirmation as soon as possible, that no Vauxhall jobs would be lost in the UK.
Earlier in the day, the future of Vauxhall, which employs 5,500 UK workers and has plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port, seemed uncertain after strong bidder Italian car maker Fiat pulled our of the take-over negotiations with the German government.
An agreement between Magna and GM Europe would guarantee there are less job cuts than the proposed cuts by other bidders, reports said. But Magna still needs to obtain clearance from the German government.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Vauxhall jobs at risk as talks stall
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
By John Sparks
The future of 5,000 British jobs at Vauxhall looks uncertain after tense negotiations between General Motors Europe and the German government break down. John Sparks reports.
German ministers criticised both GM and the American administration, saying the talks had become "absurd".
Here, the British government has insisted there is "no chance" that GM's Vauxhall plants will close.
But Channel 4 News has been told the firms bidding for the car making giant cannot make any firm promises.
By John Sparks
The future of 5,000 British jobs at Vauxhall looks uncertain after tense negotiations between General Motors Europe and the German government break down. John Sparks reports.
German ministers criticised both GM and the American administration, saying the talks had become "absurd".
Here, the British government has insisted there is "no chance" that GM's Vauxhall plants will close.
But Channel 4 News has been told the firms bidding for the car making giant cannot make any firm promises.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
BT cuts 15,000 jobs
Link to the article: Channel 4 News
One in 10 of BT's workers will lose their jobs as the telecoms firm announces a £134m loss.
BT is to cut another 15,000 jobs on top of the 15,000 it has already cut since November 2008.
The news comes as the company announces a loss of £134m in the latest financial year - only the second loss in the company's history.
One in 10 of BT's workers will lose their jobs as the telecoms firm announces a £134m loss.
BT is to cut another 15,000 jobs on top of the 15,000 it has already cut since November 2008.
The news comes as the company announces a loss of £134m in the latest financial year - only the second loss in the company's history.
Monday, 4 May 2009
European economy 'will shrink 4%'
Link to the article: BBC News
The European Commission has said that the EU economy is now in its deepest recession since the second world war.
New figures released have forecasted that the economy will shrink by four per cent this year.
The forecasts are worse than previously expected, with as many as 8.5 million jobs expected to disappear, wiping out the number of new jobs created in the past year.
Mark Gregory reports.
The European Commission has said that the EU economy is now in its deepest recession since the second world war.
New figures released have forecasted that the economy will shrink by four per cent this year.
The forecasts are worse than previously expected, with as many as 8.5 million jobs expected to disappear, wiping out the number of new jobs created in the past year.
Mark Gregory reports.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
9,000 job cuts 'truly devastating'
Link to the article: Channel 4 Newss
Last Modified: 07 Apr 2009
By: John Sparks
Critics highlight the uncertainty confronting RBS staff facing job cuts compared with the huge pension being paid to the former chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin.
Described by a union as "truly devastating", Royal Bank of Scotland unveiled plans today to axe 9,000 jobs over the next two years.
Half those cuts will be in the UK, with back office functions like IT and property management to bear the brunt.
RBS, which is now 70 per cent owned by the government, said the job losses were needed as it tries to save £2.5bn.
Last Modified: 07 Apr 2009
By: John Sparks
Critics highlight the uncertainty confronting RBS staff facing job cuts compared with the huge pension being paid to the former chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin.
Described by a union as "truly devastating", Royal Bank of Scotland unveiled plans today to axe 9,000 jobs over the next two years.
Half those cuts will be in the UK, with back office functions like IT and property management to bear the brunt.
RBS, which is now 70 per cent owned by the government, said the job losses were needed as it tries to save £2.5bn.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
ITV axe 600 jobs; ad revenues fall
Link to article: Channel 4
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2009
By: Andrew Thomas
Six hundred jobs will go and a range of familiar programmes will be affected at ITV as part of a series of cutbacks.
Drama productions like The Bill, Heartbeat and The Royal all face cutbacks in response to a major fall in advertising revenue.
London and Leeds will lose the most jobs.
The broadcaster announced a big drop in profits for last year and said it would launch a programme of efficiency savings.
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2009
By: Andrew Thomas
Six hundred jobs will go and a range of familiar programmes will be affected at ITV as part of a series of cutbacks.
Drama productions like The Bill, Heartbeat and The Royal all face cutbacks in response to a major fall in advertising revenue.
London and Leeds will lose the most jobs.
The broadcaster announced a big drop in profits for last year and said it would launch a programme of efficiency savings.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Unemployment 1.92 million and rising
Link to the article
Last Modified: 21 Jan 2009
By: Jane Deith
Unemployment rose to 1.92 million in November and is set to rise further, with dramatic implications for families throughout Britain.
Richard Walmsley was made redundant by the MFI furniture chain last summer and the father-of-two from Northamptonshire has been looking for work ever since.
Last month, the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance increased by 78,000 to 1.16 million, its highest total since September 1997, the year of Labour's first landslide election victory.
This figure does not include the tens of thousands of redundancies made since then.
The employment minister has predicted more pain ahead, with the outlook for jobs likely to worsen before it improves.
But he said the government is providing help for people who lose their jobs.
Last Modified: 21 Jan 2009
By: Jane Deith
Unemployment rose to 1.92 million in November and is set to rise further, with dramatic implications for families throughout Britain.
Richard Walmsley was made redundant by the MFI furniture chain last summer and the father-of-two from Northamptonshire has been looking for work ever since.
Last month, the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance increased by 78,000 to 1.16 million, its highest total since September 1997, the year of Labour's first landslide election victory.
This figure does not include the tens of thousands of redundancies made since then.
The employment minister has predicted more pain ahead, with the outlook for jobs likely to worsen before it improves.
But he said the government is providing help for people who lose their jobs.
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