Unemployment rose by 22,000 to 1.36million in 3 months before coronavirus hit as jobless desperately apply for furlough

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THE number of unemployed Brits rose by 22,000 to 1.36million in the three months to February – before the coronavirus crisis hit the UK.

The new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed vacancies dropped by 52,000 to 795,000 during the quarter.

It said the manufacturing and retail sectors reported the largest decline in hiring over the period.

Today’s figures come as a think tank estimated yesterday that eight million Brits will go on to the furlough scheme but that two million will lose their jobs.

The scheme, which launched yesterday, was flooded by applications from 140,000 firms and their one million workers.

Many industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, with half of retailers facing administration by the end of the summer due to the lockdown.

Treasury forecasters also fear the economy faces its worst slump on record.

The North East had the highest unemployment rate in the UK in the three months to February, ONS foundCredit: ONS

While Northern Ireland had the highest economic inactivity during the same periodCredit: ONS

Yet employment for the quarter to February jumped by 352,000 against the same period last year, rising to a record high of 33.07million.

ONS said this was heavily driven by a jump in the number of women in work, which rose by 318,000 to a record high of 15.73 million.

David Freeman, ONS head of labour market statistics, said: “Our final data wholly from before the coronavirus restrictions were in place showed the labour market was very robust in the three months to February.

“For the first time, we have brought forward information on the number of employees in work using PAYE data to cover a more recent period.

“These experimental statistics show a softening picture in March but cover the month as a whole including the period before the coronavirus restrictions were in place.”

Your rights if you’re made redundant

IF you’re being made redundant, you may be eligible for the below, according to GOV.UK.

Redundancy pay: If you’ve been working for your current employer for at least two years, you’re usually entitled to a statutory redundancy pay.
A notice period: According to redundancy law, you’re entitled to a minimum notice period of 12 weeks’ if employed for 12 years or more, at least one week’s notice if you have been employed between one month and two years, or one week’s notice for each year if employed between two and 12 years. If your employer doesn’t want you to work your notice period they can offer you a lump sum instead.
A consultation with your employer: Employers always have to consult with employees before dismissing them on the grounds of redundancy. In short, your employer must tell you what’s going on and give you a chance to ask questions and raise objections.
The option to move into a different job: Your employer might offer you “suitable alternative employment” within your organisation or an associated company. Keep in mind that you may lose your right to statutory redundancy pay if you unreasonably turn it down.
Time off to find a new job: If you’ve been continuously employed for two years, you could be given a reasonable amount of time off to look for another job or to arrange training to help you find another job.
Contact your Jobcentre: If you’re struggling to find a new job, you can contact your local Jobcentre and ask for their Rapid Response Service – they specialise in helping people who’ve been made redundant. You can use the service during your notice period and for up to 13 weeks after you’ve been made redundant.

Yael Selfin, chief economist at professional services firm KPMG, said: “Early figures for March underscore the impact Covid-19 is likely to have on the labour market.

“An additional spike in unemployment after the lockdown also seems likely, once government support via the job retention scheme ends.

“While the unemployment rate in 2020 could average below the rate the UK suffered in the recessions of 1980s, 1990s and 2008-09, this is due to the historically low level of unemployment in the UK prior to the current crisis.

“The rise in unemployment is expected to be proportionally larger than in past recessions owing to the severity of the crisis.”