Up to 20,000 jobs lost in two months

THE second year of the Government’s second term began dismally, with almost 20,000 job losses since May, the latest figures reveal.

The latest CSO jobs figures confirm the ever-declining fortunes of the economy, as dole queues hit their highest levels since 1999.

A record increase of almost 12,000 signing on in June was compounded yesterday by data showing 7,500 more job losses last month.