Commenting on labour market figures released today (Wednesday 18 January 2012) by the Office for National Statistics, Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN – The Age and Employment Network, says:

“Today’s figures for September – November 2011 will not bring much joy to the older job seeker particularly those who have been out of work for 12 months or more. Compared with the previous three months we have seen a further 23,000 people aged 50-64 – up from 59,000 (14. 4 per cent) unemployed for over 12 months. We would urge Chris Grayling to redouble his efforts to tackle the issue of long-term unemployment in the 50+ age category.  

Interestingly the figures for people aged over 65 in employment have risen by 63,000 to 885,000 suggesting that older people are having to work longer because of financial necessity.”