Unemployment in Hampshire is more than twice what it was last year
MORE than twice as many people in Hampshire were unemployed last month as in 2020 – and young people were the hardest-hit.
Southampton had 12,027 people out of work and claiming benefits in April, up 116 per cent on last year.
Of those, 2,245 were aged 18-24 – a rise of 150 per cent on last year.
But there were signs of improvements, with the national unemployment rate falling slightly from January to March.
Andy Sherman, employer and partnership manager for the Department of Work and Pensions in Hampshire and Dorset, said: “We’re seeing vacancies start to improve, especially in the hospitality sector as they recruit to full those roles prior to reopening.”