According to the BBC, The Prince's Trust has reported that 45% of the people who have become unemployed in the last three months were under the age of 25.  Meanwhile the TUC claims women are being made redundant at twice the rate of men.

That unemployment has risen to the highest level since 1997 is not a surprise in the current climate, but much of the blame for the depth and severity of this recession must lay with Gordon Brown.  As Chancellor he gave banks the freedom to lend as they wishes, doing away with much of the regulatory framework.  He also frittered away taxpayers' money creating non-jobs which now cost the country billions to retain.

With every new baby born starting life with a minimum of £17,000 debt, and nearly 2 million people unemployed by the end of November, I fear there is a long way to go before we hit the bottom of this very deep recession.  The impact on Eltham and surrounding areas will be long lasting and very severe.