Unit 2 and Unit 4: Impact of Austerity

This is not a scene from a country at war.

The Jan 2013 paper was all about the impact of austerity measures given weak economic growth. As the case study highlighted there have been job cuts in the public sector and cuts in other areas of public spending such as education.

To say that the impact of public sector job cuts is solely unemployment is not enough! What is the impact of unemployment?! Lower living standards, further falls in consumer confidence, negative multiplier etc. 

The UK is not alone in implementing austerity... Portugal, Greece, Spain... All have seen job cuts. What is the impact? Public anger, strikes and even violence.. Trade Unions are much stronger in continental Europe which is why perhaps the reaction has been stronger. Could this happen in the UK? When you are writing answers to these 30 mark questions context is important. What has happened in the real world. Not just your text book.

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Unit 2 & 4: Long Term Unemployment

Click here to see 10 examples of people in the US who once found their skills in great demand but for various reasons once the bubble burst they have found it impossible to find work again and so join the increasing ranks of the long term unemployed.


It's useful for students to understand that it is not just factory workers who are losing their jobs in droves and the social problems that arise the longer people remain out of work afflict everyone regardless of qualifications and experience. One lady, who suffers from panic attacks, talks about how she used to have to turn down jobs, "When things were good, she worked at some well-known firms in New York's Financial District, including Lehman Brothers, yet no one will hire her now because she isn't as young as the new college graduates."

The clip below, 'Tees Street Isn't Working' is a series from the 1980s recession. It illustrates the effects of long term unemployment.  It is as relevant today as it was back then.



A more recent clip which highlights the real issue with being long term unemployed....

North of England Correspondent, Morland Sanders, has been to County Durham to meet one man who has written 1500 job applications in the last 12 months. .heartbreaking!!





Part 2.....



Part 3....