British workers 'fear job losses'

More than one in 10 British workers fear the economic slowdown means they will lose their job in the next year, according to union body the TUC.

A survey of almost 3,000 employees across Britain suggested those in Wales and Scotland felt most vulnerable.

Workers in east England were most optimistic about employment, followed by those in London, it said.

Replicated nationwide, the survey would mean about 3.3m people, or 13% of the workforce, feel their jobs are at risk.

'Jittery'

Latest official unemployment data said the number of people out of work rose by 60,000 in the three months to June.

This took the official unemployment rate to 5.4% - 1.67 million people - the Office for National Statistics said, suggesting that a slowing economy was taking its toll on the labour market.

"These poll findings show just how many people are getting worried about losing their job in the current economic slowdown," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

"Of course this does not mean that unemployment will rise by anything like three million, but it does show just how jittery people have become about the economy and their own job."

He called on the government and economic policy makers to "put growth first by doing all they can to restore confidence and boost investment".

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