Unemployment

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey on the main stage during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in September 2026

Key economic data in the countdown to the Budget

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard

'Labour is letting young people down': Tory MP clashes with minister

The number of young people out of work in Shropshire has seen a sharp rise

MP voices concern at rising unemployment among 18-24 year-olds

Dip in West Midlands unemployment as small business rein in hiring

Lidl sign

Lidl sets aside 10% of interviews at new shops for long-term unemployed

Small dip in unemployment in West Midlands as UK vacancies slump

Alan Milburn

Comment: Youth unemployment is not only a tragedy, it's a timebomb

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Unemployment drops sharply as inactivity in jobs market rises

Small dip in unemployment in West Mids as vacancies tumble nationally

People walking on the way to work in London

UK economic growth forecasts slashed as IMF says Iran war risks global recession

UK inflation ‘to be pushed higher’ by energy prices amid Iran conflict

Unemployment to jump to 5.3% as UK economy faces slower growth, says OBR

Plus Spring Statement 2026: West Midlands business leaders react to latest announceme...

Spring statement 2026: Forecasts at-a-glance

Consumer confidence falls despite easing inflation

UK jobless rate surges as nearly one in six young people out of work

Unemployment hits five-year high after surprise rise as wage growth slows – ONS
The ONS said the rate of unemployment lifted to 5.2% in the three months to December, up from 5.1% in the three months to November.
Holly Williams, Press Association Business Editor

TSB’s earnings in robust shape ahead of Santander takeover

Major strike in Portugal disrupts travel and services

Unemployment in Wales at highest levels since 2015, nearly 6%

Shropshire MP warns youth unemployment levels are 'unacceptable' as he renews ca...

Shropshire Chamber CEO Ruth Ross says business rates remains one of the greatest fears among businesses

Shropshire businesses working in 'pressure cooker climate' due to tax fears says...

Fact check: Has unemployment risen ‘every single month’ under Labour?

Unemployment: Shropshire jobless numbers below national average as UK hits highe...

100 young people upskilled amid regional employment crisis

A Jobcentre Plus sign

Unemployment rate jumps to 4.5% in West Midlands, new government figures show

Unemployment rises in region, while latest claimant count figures are released

IMF upgrades UK economic growth as elections drive global uncertainty
It came as the financial agency held its forecasts for the global economy steady for 2024, with a slight downgrade for next year.
Editorial Team

Fact check: Unemployment under Labour and Facebook ads

Unemployment rises with more claiming in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Powy...

Unemployment rises in West Midlands for third month in a row

Unemployment falls in West Midlands as number in work nationally hits a high

Unemployment rises for fifth straight month across the region

Unemployment rises for fourth month in a row in West Midlands

Unemployment rises in West Midlands as national rate remains unchanged

Average wages across Shropshire rising faster than UK average

Unemployment falls in the region as UK rate down to 48-year low

Unemployment falls again in Shropshire and West Midlands

Cathy Dobbs: Cutting costs as shrinkflation bites

Unemployment falls in Shropshire while job vacancies remain at record levels

Unemployment drops in the West Midlands but pay falls further behind rocketing i...

Unemployment falls in Shropshire as Omicron fails to hit jobs market

Unemployment and number of claimants continue to fall in Shropshire

MP welcomes drop in unemployment in region

Unemployment rises across the region

Unemployment falls in West Midlands and Shropshire

Shropshire Star comment: Hard graft to get economy going starts now

Fewer claiming in Shropshire as unemployment falls with firms reopening after lo...

Loneliness during pandemic ‘greater in areas with more young people’

UK economy will bounce back faster thanks to vaccine boost – fiscal watchdog

Protests amid Lebanon lockdown leave one dead and 220 injured

Midlands unemployment still on the rise as jobless rate soars to highest level f...

Israel launches vaccination drive as coronavirus cases surge

Redundancies soared to record 370,000 in lead-up to second lockdown

Redundancies hit a record high

Redundancies hit record high as hundreds of thousands lose jobs

Unemployment rises by 10,000 in the region

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