Furious unions lashed out at arrogant coalition boasts of record employment levels today, warning that long-term and youth unemployment have actually increased.
Latest figures showed that those claiming jobseeker's allowance fell by
29,200 in July.
And total unemployment, including those not eligible for benefit, fell by 4,000 in the quarter to June to 2.5 million.
But youth unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds increased by 15,000 to reach 973,000, while the number of people out of work for two years or more rose by 10,000 to 474,000.
Smug Pensions Minister Steve Webb claimed: "Today's figures show a record-high employment level, with more women in work than ever before.
"This growth has been driven by a rise in permanent, private-sector jobs, which suggests businesses are feeling positive about the future."
But Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the small drop in unemployment masked "the damaging growth of under-employment plaguing the country and stifling economic recovery."
He warned: "A toxic combination of part-time, minimum wage, zero-hours working is spreading across the country, as decently paid, full-time opportunities become increasingly rare," he said.
Other figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that average weekly earnings, including bonuses, increased by 2.1 per cent in the year to June but this reflected unusually high bonus payments in April.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Today's figures show that it's boom time again for the super-rich, while the dole queues are getting longer for young people.
"The bounce in bonus-led pay rises shows that the super-rich have taken full advantage of the Chancellor's telegraphed tax cut.
"Meanwhile, ordinary workers are struggling on as the cost of living increases three times faster than wages."
Education unions also warned that the stark youth unemployment figures meant that young people receiving their A-level results today needed to think carefully about all their options.
UCU president Simon Renton said: "Education is a powerful force for good in our society and remains the best opportunity people have to get on in life.
"However, in this difficult climate the government needs to make access to education and jobs easier for young people to avoid them becoming lost on the periphery of society."
Teachers' union ATL head of pay, conditions and pensions Martin Freedman said: "It's hard to see how the government can claim that all the pain has been worth it when nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds are out of work and the number increased between March and June.
"We fear that young people who don't get good A-levels or GCSEs this week and next are likely to swell the ranks of the unemployed unless the government acts soon."
Morning Star
And total unemployment, including those not eligible for benefit, fell by 4,000 in the quarter to June to 2.5 million.
But youth unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds increased by 15,000 to reach 973,000, while the number of people out of work for two years or more rose by 10,000 to 474,000.
Smug Pensions Minister Steve Webb claimed: "Today's figures show a record-high employment level, with more women in work than ever before.
"This growth has been driven by a rise in permanent, private-sector jobs, which suggests businesses are feeling positive about the future."
But Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the small drop in unemployment masked "the damaging growth of under-employment plaguing the country and stifling economic recovery."
He warned: "A toxic combination of part-time, minimum wage, zero-hours working is spreading across the country, as decently paid, full-time opportunities become increasingly rare," he said.
Other figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that average weekly earnings, including bonuses, increased by 2.1 per cent in the year to June but this reflected unusually high bonus payments in April.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Today's figures show that it's boom time again for the super-rich, while the dole queues are getting longer for young people.
"The bounce in bonus-led pay rises shows that the super-rich have taken full advantage of the Chancellor's telegraphed tax cut.
"Meanwhile, ordinary workers are struggling on as the cost of living increases three times faster than wages."
Education unions also warned that the stark youth unemployment figures meant that young people receiving their A-level results today needed to think carefully about all their options.
UCU president Simon Renton said: "Education is a powerful force for good in our society and remains the best opportunity people have to get on in life.
"However, in this difficult climate the government needs to make access to education and jobs easier for young people to avoid them becoming lost on the periphery of society."
Teachers' union ATL head of pay, conditions and pensions Martin Freedman said: "It's hard to see how the government can claim that all the pain has been worth it when nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds are out of work and the number increased between March and June.
"We fear that young people who don't get good A-levels or GCSEs this week and next are likely to swell the ranks of the unemployed unless the government acts soon."
Morning Star
