Fill public service vacancies to cut unemployment rate

A new report has outlined proposals for a public sector jobs drive to stave off mass unemployment and help the UK quickly recover from the coronavirus recession.

Published by the TUC, A plan for public service jobs to help prevent mass unemployment sets out a plan for public sector jobs to contribute to the fast employment growth the UK now needs. It identifies the additional staff required across the public sector to fill vacancies, address shortfalls in provision and meet future need.

The UK entered the coronavirus crisis with our public services weakened by a decade of cuts. But public service workers gave their all to keep essential services going.

The union is calling for government to urgently unlock the 600,000 jobs identified, including: 135,000 in health; 220,000 in adult social care; 110,000 in local government; 80,000 in education; and 50,000 in civil service/public administration.

Taken together with proposals published by the TUC in June to create 1.25 million jobs by fast-tracking green infrastructure investment, the union says that this plan could deliver a total of 1.85 million new jobs in the next two years.

Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary, said: “Working people carried the burden of the pandemic. They must not bear the brunt of the recession. The government must go all out to protect and create jobs and prevent the misery of mass unemployment. The more people we have in work, the faster the recovery will be. But ministers are sitting on their hands. It’s absurd to leave unfilled vacancies and unmet need in public services when unemployment is rising. Ministers should urgently provide the funding that will unlock existing public services vacancies and create good new jobs.  

“Our plan to invest in good public services jobs will help workers avoid unemployment. It will strengthen the vital services that we all rely on. And it will get people out spending in local business and services. That’s how to drive the recovery forward.”