A high level of low skilled workers blamed for rise

Dole queues are growing i n R e n f r ews h i r e, according to the latest employment figures.

The number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants are up, with 2,945 now relying on benefits.

The Department for Work and Pensions revealed an almost four per cent hike in those receiving hand-outs.

A report to Jobcentres from Westminster told of the challenges of finding placements in the region.

It explained: “The labour market in Renfrewshire chiefly consists of small to medium employers with retail, care, hospitality and call centre sectors dominating the market.

“The area has a high level of low skilled workers, which does not always match the vacancies available.

“Universal Credit has fully rolled out for all single claimants across Renfrewshire, supporting both those in and out of work.

“Good relationships with local employers have secured sector-based work academies and work experience placements with employers such as B&M, Boots and Co-op, as well as many small employers and charities.”

The latest statistics detail the efforts made to get adults back into work up until the third quarter of last year.

The outlook for younger people is more favourable, with 645 job hunters aged 18 to 24 on benefits — down 35 on the same period in 2015 and 975 less than 2010.

The Office for National Statistics says Scottish unemployment figures remain low at 4.7 per cent.

Nationally, the employment rate has topped almost 75 per cent, with 31.84 million people in work — an increase of 312,000.

Average weekly wages grew by 2.3 per cent, including bonuses, over the last year.

Wage growth has remained above two per cent every month since the beginning of 2016.

Secretary of State Damian Green said: “This is yet another strong set of figures, with unemployment at a rate that hasn’t been beaten since the 1970s and more vacancies than ever before.

“More people are finding fulltime jobs and average wages have grown yet again, meaning more families have the security of a regular wage.

“However, there is always more to do.

“That’s why we’re creating a welfare system that rewards work through Universal Credit, which helps claimants keep more of the money they earn.”