People in work continues to rise

The number of people employed in Monklands continues to rise – for a fourth straight month.

Alternative Claimant Counts (ACC) made in Airdrie & Shotts in February were 2267, which is 1418 down on the same time last year.

In neighbouring Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill, there were 2056 claims submitted – a decrease on February 2021’s 1752.

Across Lanarkshire, there has been another rise in Universal Credit claims, with 32,703 made on May 12; a 389 rise compared with 12 months earlier.

Maxine Allison, Jobseekers’employer partnership manager in North Lanarkshire, told the Advertiser:“with summer fast approaching and a record level of vacancies, employers are turning to their local jobcentre for expert help matching jobseekers with their seasonal and permanent vacancies.

“Right now, it’s our top priority to work with employers and jobseekers to match the right job with the right person.

“Hosting employers in our offices has enabled a growing number of businesses to offer jobseekers‘jobs on the spot’, especially in the key industries such as warehouse, production, security and hospitality.

“Recruiting for the adult social care sector also continues to be a priority in North Lanarkshire.

The number of people employed in Scotland currently sits at 2.686 million – up 24,000 on the quarter and a 48,000 rise on the year.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:“with more Scottish workers on the payroll than before the pandemic and unemployment at historically low levels, the figures show a strong Scottish labour market.

“The UK Government has always supported people across the UK when they’ve needed it. During the pandemic, UK Government loans to businesses saved up to 500,000 UK businesses and 2.9 million jobs.

“Now, as global issues put pressure on the cost of living, we are helping people into work and to progress in work, and to keep more of what they earn. We are also putting in place a £37bn financial support package.

“This sits alongside the UK Government’s focus on growing our economy, by investing in communities across the UK, and creating more well-paid and highly skilled jobs.”

Minister for Welfare Delivery, David Rutley MP, added: “Universal Credit continues to support 5.6 million people on low incomes as the UK Government responds to rising costs.

“We know it’s a challenging time for many, and that’s why we’re also introducing a one-off cost of living payment for over eight million households to help ease financial pressures.

“A total of £650 will be paid in two instalments, with the first payment landing in people’s bank accounts in July.”