A Comparative Approach To Rising Unemployment in the UK

The current high level unemployment in the UK is different from when it occurred in the 1980s under the Conservative government. During that period, the Thatcher government's policy was to reduce the intervention of the state with regards to the economy by introducing limits on public spending and making other such cuts. It therefore let the economy run its course, which, with increased interest rates and reduced inflation, led to a steep rise in unemployment.

The 1980s also saw the degeneration of the coal mining and steel industries, whose closure the government supported. Unfortunately, this caused widespread social problems amongst the ex-pit workers and their communities where the unemployment rate rose dramatically. The Thatcher government believed in letting unemployment sort itself out, and it therefore did not intervene in overcoming the issue.

Property developer David Martin Abrahams explains, "It was strange how in the coal mining and steel areas, the rush hour of cars on the roads no longer existed. The areas were turning into ghost towns and it was frightening."

However, David Abrahams believes that the current unemployment level is caused by global economic conditions, rather than state factors. David Abrahams explains, "The Labour government's policy is to get people back to work, to invest in communities and to ensure that jobs and an economic recovery will come at a faster rate."

"For instance I have received planning permission for first phase of a 76-acre business park at Durham Green Park, near Bowden, Country Durham. This will lead to an overall development of 500 acres, creating thousands of jobs in an area of high unemployment, helping to regenerate the former coal mining areas.", says David Abrahams.

The site chosen is the ideal location, enabling the nearby communities to access it via the A1. David Abrahams continues, "The employment value is tremendous for the survival and economics of central Durham. I want Durham Green to be a model of sustainable development and sustainable jobs in the 21st Century."

The current downturn hasn't been as dramatic as in the 1980s and most importantly, people still have faith in the leaders of the country, who they believe have the necessary skills to show them there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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