THE number of people seeking unemployment support in the South West doubled between March and April, says the TUC.

Commenting on figures released by the Office for National Statistics today, TUC regional secretary has called for a ’solid plan for economic recovery’ for the region.

’These figures are alarming – but unsurprising,’ he said.

’As we feared, some of the bigger job losses have fallen in communities dependent on tourism and leisure. These are areas that already suffered with high levels of insecure, low paid work.

’It’s clear we need a solid regional economic plan for recovery.

’Extending the job retention scheme was the right first step. Now we need a job guarantee scheme to avoid long-term unemployment, with plans that puts full employment on decent wages and fair terms at its heart.’

In the UK as a whole, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose by more than 850,000 to 2.1million in April.

Meanwhile the number of job vacancies being advertised fell, and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey has warned that the employment situation is likely to get worse.