Jobseeker claimants figuresdrop

Rutherglen’s jobless total has seen a significant dip, dramatically falling by half in one area of the town.

In the Rutherglen South ward, the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance dropped from 124 in August 2017, to 62 last month.

The picture in Rutherglen Central and North was also positive.

There, the number of claimants in August last year was 107 – a figure that fell by 47 to 60 in August this year.

The number of claimants in both wards remained pretty stagnant between July and August this year, with 60 Rutherglen Central and North claimants last month - that’s seven fewer than July.

In Rutherglen South, 62 people claimed Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in August - three more than in July.

In South Lanarkshire as a whole, the 25 to 49-year age group accounted for more than 53 per cent of total claimants.

In the region, 80 18 to 24-year-olds were claiming JSA, with 505 claimants in the 50-64 age bracket.

The trend wasn’t quite so positive in the Linn ward, where 403 people claimed JSA last month - 28 more than in July.

The year-on-year picture saw a slight increase, from 396 in July to 403 in August this year.

The latest figures from the DWP come as Routes to Work South prepares for a jobs fair latest this month in Cambuslang.

The event, aimed at people in South Lanarkshire who are looking for work, will be held on Thursday, September 27 at CTEC, 1-15 Main Street, Cambuslang.