Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Unemployment
But bosses eye better 2017 after late boost
UNEMPLOYMENT in Dundee has risen over the past year — despite a drop in benefit claimants each month since August.
There were 3,275 people claiming out-of-work benefits at the end of November – equal to 3.3% of the city’s population.
The claims peaked this year in August, with 3,775 claimants, but numbers fell every month from then on, to 3,605 in September, 3,445 in October and 3,275 in November.
But across the whole year there was a rise in claimants of 410.
Dundee’s 3.3% unemployment rate is also higher than the Scottish average of 2.2% and the British average of 1.8%.
Several high-profile closures of large employers contributed to the rise.
Engineering firm PressureFab closed its doors on July 24, with job losses for 42 workers, as the company was put into administration the following week.
Just days later 161 jobs went at Galloway Group.
A further 44 jobs were lost as the British Homes Stores shop in the Wellgate closed its doors for the final time in August, having traded in the shopping centre for more than three decades.
Councillor Willie Sawyers, Dundee City Council’s deputy policy and resources convener, said the authority was continuing to try to attract employers to the city and support folk looking for work.
He said: “Over two years there has been an increase of more than 2,000 jobs in Dundee and we want to see that continuing. The council and its partners, including the Scottish Government, are committed to improving economic opportunities across Dundee.
“A huge investment programme is under way, which is benefiting our communities with new schools and facilities, while we are also continuing with the £1 billion Waterfront.
“The council and its partners are also working hard to bring benefits from North Sea decommissioning to the city.”
Since June the Tele has been running its “Let’s Get Dundee Working” campaign, aimed at helping highlight jobs and training opportunities to folk in the city.
Jane McEwen, work service manager at Dundee’s Jobcentre, said there had been an increase in recruitment to various industries — which she hopes will continue into 2017.
She said: “Most recently we have seen our contact centre sector growing and in particular within our own Government agencies at Jobcentre Plus and pensions where more than 400 people have secured employment. Other contact centre organisations have also been recruiting throughout the year including Tesco, Lloyds Banking and Manpower at BT, resulting in an additional 400 jobs.
“This year also saw Forth Ports look to expand their business particularly around increasing their activity within the cruise ship markets.
“The hospitality sector is creating new jobs and several new restaurants have opened up in the city in