More people are at work in Monklands

Unemployment figures have fallen in Monklands – with nearly 500 less residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance than this time last year.

The latest Labour Market Statistics (LMS), released show 687 people in Airdrie remained out of work last month – down from 739 in August of this year and 936 in September 2015.

The number of Coatbridge residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance last month was 553, which is a reduction from 609 in August and 789 in September of last year.

In Airdrie, the highest level of unemployment can be found in the Airdrie North ward – 254 residents – and the Coatbridge North and Glenboig ward accounts for the most people out of work – 259 – in Coatbridge.

Across North Lanarkshire, there was a nine-and-a-half per cent reduction in unemployment between August and September this year, with 377 more people finding work.

The region’s overall annual figures from August last year saw and 6.3 per cent fall in Jobseekers Allowance claimants, a total of 375.

UK Employment Minister Damian Hinds welcomed the national LMS statistics that showed Britain’s overall unemployment at a record high – and highlighted Scotland as having the largest fall across Britain.

Mr Hinds said:“Once again, it’s great news for Britain as the employment rate remains at a record high, with more than 31.8 million men and women in work.

“There’s good news in Scotland where unemployment has fallen by 25,000 on the quarter.

“This represents the largest fall of any UK nation or region.

“There is also a near record 2.6 million people now in work.”

Largest fall of any UK nation or region . . .