Youth dole queue still shortening

Less than 500 are now out of work

Jobcentre bosses say fewer than 500 young people are now on the dole across the region.

Handouts for those aged between 18 and 24 has fallen by two thirds in the last five years.

Alok Sharma, minister of state for employment, insists Westminster’s welfare shake-up is forcing families off benefits and into work.

He said: “I am particularly encouraged that wages continue to be on the up, outpacing inflation for the seventh month in a row.

“Regular pay is up 3.1 per cent on the year – the fastest growth in almost a decade.

“Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s.

“There are more people with the security of a job, more people with a regular salary, and more people able to support their families.

“That is thanks to action this government has taken to build an economy that works for everyone.”

Jobcentre statistics reveal 580 young people in Renfrewshire receive benefits.

This has dropped by 140 – almost a quarter – on last year.

Figures are down 925 since 2010 – a reduction of 66 per cent.

There are 2,855 adults across the region claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

This is down 41 per cent over the last eight years.

Across Scotland, employment across Scotland has risen by 198,000 since 2010.

Around 2.64 million are now in jobs – including 83,000 more women in the last eight years.

Unemployment has dropped to 106,000 over the period.

Esther McVey, Work and Pensions Secretary, says plans are on-track to get even more jobseekers into roles.

She said: “This month’s figures show youth unemployment has fallen by 50 percent since 2010, down to a new record low.

“This shows our welfare reforms are working and giving young people a better future.

“We want to empower young people and open up new career opportunities – delivering a brighter future for them.”