Business leaders in Birmingham and Solihull say the latest
dismal job figures are a symptom of the current economic status and
will not improve until demand picks up in the global economy.
Kiran Virk, policy adviser at Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BCI) said: "Today's figures are a mixed bag
of good and not so good news and demonstrate a still fragile
economy. Until the government introduces initiatives to help
businesses, such as scrapping the rise in employer National
Insurance contributions, companies will not recruit.
"The private sector plays a huge role in creating wealth and in
order to continue this path, the government needs to encourage
businesses to invest more time into nurturing the young people who
will be tomorrow's workforce."
On Monday February 22, BCI and Business Voice West Midlands will
be launching a regional response to the government's 'Backing Young
Britain' initiative. The campaign calls for employers to
support the numerous ways in which they can help young people gain
employment or experience of work through apprenticeships, work
placements or internships.
BCI has recently taken three long term unemployed people off the
unemployment register, through the Future Jobs Fund.