UK Winter surge of redundancies predicted

Next year will be the worst for jobs for almost 20 years, with a net reduction of at least 600,000 people in employment. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is predicting a "winter surge" of redundancies in the first quarter of the year that could see as many as 300,000 lose their jobs.

The institute warned that unemployment would continue to rise in 2010, taking the total number of jobs projected to be lost over the course of the recession to about 1 million.

The CIPD's annual Barometer Report, published today, predicts a net reduction in jobs of 600,000 next year - after 150,000 this year - and a further 250,000 to come in 2010.

The CIPD's chief economist, John Philpott, warns that the period between New Year and Easter will be the worst for redundancies since 1991, with up to 300,000 losing their jobs.

Philpott said: "This time last year, the CIPD warned that 2008 would be the UK's worst year for jobs in a decade. It was. But in retrospect it will be seen as merely the slow-motion prelude to what will be the worst year for jobs in almost two decades.

Earlier this month the post warned of the acceleration in unemployment, the CIPD numbers could be conservative.