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Unemployment and worklessness have been in the news again this week, raising three important questions. Are they different names for the same thing? Do they need to be tackled? Who should we be looking to for a solution?

Unemployment and worklessness – different names for the same thing?

No, they are not the same thing, and some reports described this very well. In fact the figures launched this week made it clear simply because they were different: unemployment fell slightly, but worklessness rose to 21.3%, according to the BBC’s report of the ONS data. The measure of worklessness includes not only those who are unemployed but also those who are sick or disabled, students, and people looking after the family and home.

Do unemployment and worklessness need to be tackled?

With a clear answer to the first question, the second becomes more interesting. I imagine most of us would agree that eliminating unemployment is a good thing, ensuring that there is work for all those wishing to be employed. But worklessness is a more controversial issue. (more…)