THE number of people out of work in Southampton has smashed through the 6,000 mark with 40 per cent more unemployed than at the same time last year.
Depressingly for those signing on to the dole, there are now more than six unemployed people for every job vacancy.
Vacancies notified at Job Centre Plus fell to just 795 as of February 11, with more than 2,000 jobs disappearing off the market in just two months.
The situation is due to get dramatically worse in coming weeks with Ford due to shed 500 jobs at its Swaythling plant and more than 100 to go at the docks.
Official figures, compiled for the city’s civic and business leaders, showed there are now 6,030 people claiming Jobseek-ers’ Allowance, up from 5,435 in December last year and approaching double the 3,320 registered in October 2007.
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