BCC: 300,000 jobs to go

Mon 18 Aug 2008 at 4:00 PM

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned 300,000 jobs could go by 2011.

It predicted the current economic dip will force unemployment figures towards the two million mark.

A technical recession is also possible - it suggested the UK economy will shrink in two quarters before next March.

"Our view is that the threats to growth are more serious and more immediate than the risks of higher inflation," said its economic advisor David Kern.

The BCC suggested the Bank of England should consider making a downward move when it next sets interest rates.

Mr Kern advised: "The UK economy urgently needs an interest rate cut to counter threats of recession."

The current economic climate is a difficult one for employers of professional jobs. Bosses are currently more likely to place a hold on hiring and wait for their circumstances to improve.

Randstad employment bureau often has vacancies for jobs in call centres in Liverpool and Cardiff.