Live Register falls but 44% jobless are long-term unemployed

The number of people on the Live Register fell by 2,000 but 44.2% of those out of work are long-term unemployed — sparking fresh criticism of the Government’s jobs initiative.

The latest data from the CSO shows a seasonally adjusted figure of 434,400 people signing on in August, meaning a standardised unemployment rate of 14.7%.

While the figure for people signing on the Live Register does include part-time, seasonal, and casual workers, 44.2% have been signing on long term — an increase from 40.8% in Aug 2011 and up from 24.7% in Feb 2010.