The total number of people unemployed in Guernsey increased by nearly 300 in January, as the Bailiwick moved into lockdown.
The total number of wholly unemployed people increased from 506 at the end of December 2020, to 795 at the end of January 2021, while 490 new claims for employment and income related benefits were made during January 2021. This figure compares with 48 in December 2020.
The number of those who were receiving an employment or income related benefit, and who were already doing some form of work or had some income (e.g. payroll co-funding scheme) increased from 360 in December 2020 to 552 in January 2021. The number of job adverts promoted by the Job Centre was 176.
In Alderney there was a small increase in the number of those seeking employment compared with the previous month. These figures are a snapshot taken on the final day of January, when the Bailiwick was entering its second week of this current lockdown.
Deputy Peter Roffey, President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said: “Although these figures will not come as a surprise to many, we remain committed to our efforts to provide support to those who are seeking employment.
“Unfortunately it was inevitable from the moment we entered this second lockdown that unemployment would increase, but with the return of lone workers last week and the hopeful move to Stage 1 of the exit from lockdown framework shortly, we hope that this number will begin to decrease. Nevertheless, we must be realistic about the lasting impact of the pandemic on businesses globally and within the Bailiwick, and therefore on employment”.
