Friday 19 June 2020
The number of people unemployed and claiming benefit in Guernsey was 1,631 at the end of May.
This figure is a slight increase on the number at the end of the previous month (week ending 2 May) which was 1,568, and remains considerably higher than the figure for the end of March (week ending 28 March) which was 497.
A bulletin containing full details for the months of April and May is currently being finalised and is due to be published next week.
As previously stated, a problem with the system used for collating unemployment statistics has meant these figures could not be released monthly, in the normal way. Work to resolve the problem and to input the outstanding data has been ongoing, and the headline unemployment figures for April and May are being released today ahead of the full bulletin, recognising that these figures are of particular relevance now as the Bailiwick faces the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the States prepares to debate the 'Revive and Thrive' Recovery Strategy. June figures will follow in early July.
While unemployment figures remain high compared to the very low levels normally seen in Guernsey, it is expected that the figure will fall in June as more businesses are able to reopen. The figures for May are likely to also include some who have already found work but are yet to receive their first wages and will therefore still be included in the statistics.
Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, President of the Committee forEmployment & Social Security said:
"Now more than ever it's important we can see clearly what is happening in our workforce and how many people have found themselves out of work as a result of this crisis. Not being able to produce these figures in the normal way has been a frustration, but our team has worked hard to get out the key information as quickly as possible and the detail will follow soon.
We will be doing more to help bring the numbers down and get more people who have lost jobs back into work. In the coming weeks we'll be actively promoting the different ways Employment & Social Security can support jobseekers, help them identify vacancies and develop skills through various schemes."
