Jobs market

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 | Updated: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:59 GMT

Britain could face mass unemployment on a level not seen for a decade, according to the work and pensions secretary.

James Purnell told the Metro newspaper that emergency plans were being developed to address problems that would arise should millions of people lose their jobs.

Purnell said: “We are determined to be prepared. While we don’t predict future levels of unemployment, we are planning for the impact of higher levels of Jobseekers’ Allowance claims in the coming months. These are clearly worrying times for all of us.”

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