Jobless in region up by 6%
THE jobseekers claimant in Halton count jumped by about 33% in the 12 months between December 2016 and 2017 according to latest figures albeit with a warning that this would be due to the statistical effect of Universal Credit rollout rather than an increase in unemployment.
Last month there were 2,875 residents receiving out-of-work benefits, compared with 2,165 in 2016.
However, the Department For Work And Pensions (DWP) warned that this will be due to Universal Credit (UC), which means some workers will be included in the count.
The number of young adults aged 18-24 on out-of-work benefits increased from 470 to 605 over the same period, again attributed to the way the numbers are derived using UC.
Despite the barriers to comparing data under different welfare systems, according to the Office For National Statistics figures there were fewer residents in work in October 2016 to September 2017, falling from 59,800 in work to 58,200.
The percentage classed as unemployed remained the same at 4.1%.
The Government reported that across the UK, the employment rate had reached a joint record high of 75.3% with 32.2m workers in employment.
It said unemployment was down 3,000 compared to the last quarter and at the lowest rate since 1975.
Alan Harrison, DWP spokesman, said the local authority figures are not ‘statistically valid’ for now until UC data are divided between recipients in work and out of work.
He said the unemployed claimant count across the Liverpool City Region has risen by 6%, which he said was to be expected at the start of the year.
Mr Harrison said that joblessness fell across the North West by 15,000 in the last quarter of 2017.
He said in terms of vacancies, recruitment is well under way to fill ‘hundreds’ of roles in and around the cinema and restaurants in Speke and work is also taking place with Barclays to find call centre staff.
Mr Harrison added that another initiative is a project to recruit ex-Armed Forces for roles in the NHS.
At present the scheme is being run jointly with Whiston and St Helens hospitals with the option of a fast track route into the health service.
He said: “We’re working in particular with St Helens And Knowsley (NHS Teaching) Hospitals (NHS Trust) to get ex-Armed Forces into the NHS.
“They’re looking at getting ex-military y medical teams who are leaving service to come in, and they’re looking at a fast track system.
“There’s an event on at Whiston Hospital on March 8 that’s inviting ex-military service to come up and see what options there might be for training an possibly recruitment.”
Ministers have welcomed the latest job figures.
Esther McVey, Work And Pensions Secretary, said: “We had a record-breaking 2017 for employment, and I’m ● ● delighted d to see this trend continue as we enter the New Year. The number of people in work is at an all-time high and the unemployment rate has not been this low for over 40 years.
“At this time of year, straight after Christmas, people might be feeling a squeeze on their finances. We’re determined to help people keep more of what they earn.
“That’s why we’ve increased the National Living Wage, introduced Universal Credit to offer greater flexibility and taken millions of people out of income n tax altogether by raising the taxfree fr personal allowance.”