• News
    • National
    • International
    • Politics
    • Business
    • The Sensemaker
    • Data
  • Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • Art
    • Music
    • TV
    • Theatre
    • Dance
    • Architecture
  • Style
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Homes
    • Gardens
  • Ideas
    • Columnists
    • Profile
    • The Observer view
    • Obituary
  • Sport
    • Football
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Cravings
    • Restaurants
    • Nigel Slater
    • Drink
  • Puzzles
    • Goldilocks
    • Everyman
    • Speedy
    • Azed
    • Gemelo
    • Sudoku
    • Killer Sudoku
    • Lexipedia quiz
  • Listen
    • Top shows and investigations
    • New and noteworthy
    • Daily and weekly podcasts
    • Investigations
  • Library
  • Print edition

Get full access to the app & website:

Subscribe

Unemployment

Ben Zaranko

The great UK unemployment debate

Economists clash over whether weakness in the economy or structural changes to the labour market explain the spike in joblessness

Sat 7 Mar 2026

Latest

William Keegan
The best gift for our jobless young is a return to Europe

Sun 21 Dec 2025

The best gift for our jobless young is a return to Europe
Matthew Bishop
Staff pay the price for record Microsoft success

Sat 26 Jul 2025

Staff pay the price for record Microsoft success
Barney Macintyre
Unemployment in Britain soars to highest figure since 2021

Sun 20 Jul 2025

Unemployment in Britain soars to highest figure since 2021
Tim Leunig
Summer jobs scheme lacks scale and ambition

Sat 19 Jul 2025

Summer jobs scheme lacks scale and ambition

About

Contact usFAQsAbout us
Work with usCareersEditorial policy

Join

Journalism school
EventsShop

Follow

The Observer
The Observer Magazine
The ObserverNew Review
The Observer Food Monthly
Copyright © 2025 Tortoise Media|Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions