UK unemployment hits 12-year high

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-19-2009 13:56

The latest official survey in the United Kingdom shows that more than two million people are unemployed. That's the highest level since 1997.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the government has been carrying out emergency measures -- including a 1.3 billion pounds stimulus spending -- to ease the problem.

A man walks past a recruitment company window displaying job vacancies in southwest London, January 2009. (AFP/File/Shaun Curry)

46-year-old Michael Jones is a well-educated Internet engineer. After working for 20 years, he lost his job last October. Now the father of three is busy sending on-line resumes and rushing for interviews.

He's even thought about making a completely new start turning his hobby of drawing into a new career as a teacher of fine arts.

Michael Jones, Wales Resident, said, "Some days I'm so depressed. I don't know. You don't feel suicidal, but you just wish that everything could actually finish."

The Office for National Statistics says the unemployment figure increased by 165 thousand from November to January.

In January, the British Government invested 10 billion pounds in public projects to create more jobs.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the country will use various techniques to help those who are unemployed. Among them, enlarging spending and offering job allowances.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei