Retail jobs growth vital to overall unemployment levels
BRC says the latest jobless figures show the need for a Budget which does not impose new employment costs and bureaucracy on the private sector.
Today’s (Wednesday’s) ONS unemployment figures show a rise in the number of people out of work. While for the whole economy unemployment rose and the number of people in work fell – the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC’s) Retail Employment Monitor for the fourth quarter of 2010 showed a modest rise in retail job numbers among participating retailers compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
Almost two thirds of retailers say they will add to or maintain job numbers over the next three months. The BRC is urging the Chancellor to support jobs growth in the retail sector.
British Retail Consortium Director of Business and Regulation, Tom Ironside, said,”Retail is the biggest private sector employer. Despite a tough economic climate, it has managed to increase the amount of work available. Given the right conditions, that growth can continue.
“A strong private sector will become more and more important as thousands of former public sector employees lose their jobs because of cut backs. The retail sector deserves support as it continues to invest in property and people.
“A third of retail staff are under 25. The sector is providing work for some of the young people facing the biggest challenges in the current climate. Retailers offer opportunities ranging from accountancy to management. They are committed to investing in the skills of their workforce.
“While the strength of the recovery is so uncertain the country needs retailers to focus resources on growing their businesses and taking on more staff. The Chancellor should remember this when preparing his March Budget.”
