News Tag: unemployment
March 17, 2010
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today revealed that UK unemployment fell slightly in the three months to January to 2.45 million.
The latest figures take the unemployment rate to 7.8%, according to the ONS.
In the meantime, the number of Britons claiming jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) also fell by 32,300 in February to 1.59 million - the sharpest fall since November 1997, just ...
UK unemployment continues to fall
by Kay Murchie
March 9, 2010
Unemployed people across Europe will be given the opportunity to set up their own business with money from a new EU micro-loan fund.
Up to 45,000 budding entrepreneurs could be helped by the initiative over the next eight years.
The €100 million fund was announced this week by the European Union's Employment and Social Affairs ministers.
Ministers said the fund is designed ...
EU sets up micro-finance fund to help unemployed
by David Masters
March 5, 2010
The Labor Department has today revealed the US unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.7% in February and lower than the 10% rate reported in December.
According to the Labor Department, employers cut 36,000 jobs last month - fewer than the 50,000 analysts had been expecting and compares to a revised 26,000 job cuts in January.
In the meantime, since the onset ...
US unemployment rate holds steady at 9.7%
by Kay Murchie
March 1, 2010
The European Union's statistics agency has today announced unemployment in the 16-member euro zone remained at 9.9% in January.
Unemployment rose by 38,000 during the month, leaving the unemployment rate flat at December's (downwardly-revised) 6-year high of 9.9%.
However, the amount of unemployment in the euro zone is at its highest since the single currency was introduced a decade ago, at almost ...
Euro zone unemployment rate unchanged at 9.9%
by Kay Murchie
February 25, 2010
The Federal Labour Office has today announced the number of jobless in Germany grew by 7,000 in February compared with January, taking the country's unemployment rate to 8.7% - from 8.6% the previous month.
The total number of unemployed in Europe’s largest economy now stands at 3.43 million. However, today’s figures were less than economists expected.
Fabienne Riefer from Postbank ...
German unemployment rises less than expected in Feb
by Kay Murchie
February 24, 2010
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke has today said US interest rates will need to stay low in order to keep the economic recovery on track.
In a testimony before Congress, Bernanke said there was a "nascent economic recovery" and said long-term recovery will depend on private sector’s demand for goods and services.
Bernanke, who was recently awarded ...
Federal Reserve chairman pledges low interest rates for long-term
by Kay Murchie
February 19, 2010
The US Federal Reserve stunned markets by raising its discount rate (the interest rate it charges banks for emergency loans) by 25bps to 0.75%.
The news sent the pound down to its lowest level against the US dollar in nine months, while Asian equity markets reacted cautiously as they digested the news.
Furthermore, the euro also plummeted to a nine-month ...
Fed discount rate rise triggers sterling losses
by Kay Murchie
February 18, 2010
In its latest forecast for the world’s largest economy, the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, has said economic growth will be between 2.8% and 3.5% in 2010 - better than its previous forecast of 2.5% to 3.5%.
However, the Fed has warned that despite strong growth for this year, unemployment will remain high.
Earlier this month, the Labor Department said the US ...
Fed warns of higher unemployment
by Kay Murchie
February 17, 2010
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today revealed that UK unemployment fell slightly in the three months to December to 2.46 million.
However, the unemployment rate remains the same at 7.8%, according to the ONS.
In the meantime, the number of Britons claiming jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) rose by 23,500 in January to 1.64 million - the largest increase since July 2009.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment ...
UK unemployment continues to slow
by Kay Murchie
February 16, 2010
New research has revealed that millions of credit card holders could face severe debts after card providers have put interest rates up to a 12-year high.
The Bank of England’s base rate has been at the historically low rate of 0.5% for almost a year but despite this, average credit card interest rates have risen to over 18% - the ...
Credit card interest rates soar to 12-year high
by Kay Murchie
February 15, 2010
Leading think tank, the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), has today claimed that the recession and unemployment would have been much worse if Britain had joined the euro.
According to the think tank, if Britain had dropped the pound, the unemployment rate would be at 15% (double what it is now) and GDP might have ...
CEBR reveals what might have happened if Britain joined the euro
by Kay Murchie
February 14, 2010
The Commerce Department has revealed a better-than-expected 0.5% rise in January retail sales compared with the previous month, suggesting a strong economic recovery.
The figures follow on from the 0.1% fall in December but on an annual basis, sales were up by 4.7%.
Retail sales are closely monitored because consumer spending makes up for more than two-thirds of overall economic ...
US retail sales up 0.5%, consumer confidence down
by Kay Murchie
Euro zone economy grows just 0.1% in Q4
by Kay Murchie
February 11, 2010
Greece’s national statistics service, NSS, has today revealed the country’s unemployment rate rose from 9.8% in October to 10.6% in November.
There are now more than half a million people unemployed in the country.
The figures come prior to the EU summit meeting in Brussels today, which will see European leaders discuss the issues facing Greece.
Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, ...
Greece’s woes continue as unemployment rate hits 10.6%
by Kay Murchie
February 5, 2010
The Labor Department has today revealed that the US unemployment rate fell from 10% in December to 9.7% in January - its lowest level in five months.
According to the Labor Department, employers cut 20,000 jobs last month - many analysts had predicted the economy to add jobs.
US President Barack Obama has pledged to make job creation his top priority.
Meanwhile, the ...
US unemployment rate falls to 9.7%
by Kay Murchie
February 3, 2010
Eurostat has today revealed retail sales in the euro zone were unchanged in December from January.
The figures disappointed analysts who had expected a 0.4% rise in which is traditionally the busiest month of the year for retailers.
The latest figures highlight the fragile state of the economy and weak consumer demand.
On an annual basis, Eurostat said sales fell 1.6% ...
Euro zone retail sales flat in December
by Kay Murchie
Think tank warns Government to control spending
by Kay Murchie
January 29, 2010
The Commerce Department has today revealed that the US economy grew 5.7% in the final three months of 2009 - the fastest pace in six years and higher than analysts expectations.
The US economy emerged from recession in the third quarter after experiencing growth of 2.2% and today’s figures clearly show that after enduring the longest and deepest downturn since the Great ...
US Q4 economy growth beats expectations
by Kay Murchie
Euro zone unemployment rate reaches 10%
by Kay Murchie
