Hopes are high for Hub jobs

And HMRC set to recruit

The Department of Work and Pensions hope new jobs at The Hub and HMRC in East Kilbride will boost stagnating employment figures in the town.

The latest figures revealed that the number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants has stayed almost the same over the last couple of months.

Statistics show a slight increase of 0.5 per cent in claimants in EK, reaching 554, from September to October.

Despite this, the annual claimant count has dropped by over 35 per cent year-on-year.

East Kilbride South has the highest number of people registered on JSA, with 138, and had the smallest drop annually, with just 26.6 per cent.

The lowest unemployment rate in the area was East Kilbride West with just 49 claimants. Central South had the sharpest drop of 43 per cent year-on-year.

Earlier this year HMRC announced the closure of the tax offices at the Plaza Tower by 2020-21 and Centre 1 by 2026.

However, they are set to launch their next recruitment drive with the help of the DWP later this week.

A DWP spokeswoman told the News: “Following the launch of The Hub in East Kilbride last weekend, we have been working closely with most of the new employers, supported by a variety of sifting, using the premises for interviews.

“These include Nando’s, who have indicated over 40 positions, Aerial Adventures, Handmade Burger Co, Pizza Express, Bella Italia, Chiquito’s, and The Filling Station.

“We are also working to support recent HMRC vacancies in East Kilbride that will be advertised this week.”