THE doom and gloom just keeps on coming for the economy both locally and nationally.

Yesterday’s unemployment figures made grim reading as the UK tally hit a 17-year high and there is now one in 10 people out of work across Yorkshire.

On top of that came the news that hundreds of jobs are at risk at local employers Bon Marché and Sita.

In terms of Sita, the 45 jobs provide employment to some of Huddersfield’s poorer areas so any loss will be devastating and it’s hard to see how a recycling company can justify transporting recyclable waste by lorry all the way to Teesside when the Hillhouse plant handles an average of 2,248 tonnes of recyclable rubbish every month.

Where are the ‘green’ credentials in such a decision?

There is hope that a new buyer can be found for Bon Marché and the signs so far are reasonably promising, but nothing can be taken for granted until the deal is done and contracts are signed.

These are worrying times for the people who work at both these companies ... and for everyone else.

The days when people may have felt their jobs were safe both in the public and private sector have gone forever to be replaced by uncertainty and some fear.