Jobless figures are up 230,000 under Reeves

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves was accused of destroying jobs, with unemployment up by more than 230,000 since Labour took power.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

Young people are particularly hit, campaigners say, with many moving on to benefits just when they should be starting a career.

And bosses warned Labour's Employment Rights Bill would spark massive retail job cuts.

Government figures yesterday show 1.674 million jobless over-16s up from 1.44 million in the period covering last July's general election and a rise of 234,000.

Employers blame Ms Reeves's decision to increase employers' National Insurance and the minimum wage in last year's Budget.

Tough

Jane Gratton, of the British Chambers of Commerce said: "Unemployment remains high and vacancies continue to fall, with firms having to make difficult decisions on recruitment."

Bars, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality firms say Ms Reeves has already pushed up their costs by £3.4billion and they are poised to lose 111,000 jobs by her next Budget on November 26.