Monthly jobless total jumps by 12 per cent
December figure revealed
A total of 950 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in the Stirling area last month.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics this week revealed that for the month of December the jobless total was up 12 per cent on the same month in 2015.
However, staff from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) were keen to stress that compared with 2011, the figure was down.
The total, which accounts for 1.6 per cent of the area’s population, is also a reduction on November’s figure of 980.
Over the last 12 months, the number of claimants peaked at 1005 in February last year and was at its lowest last January with 890 claiming out-of-work benefits.
Angie Murray of the DWP said there were a number of initiatives being run to bring the jobless total down in the Stirling area.
She said: “While the claimant count has risen 12 per cent year-on-year – it has reduced by 51 per cent over a five year period. Overall the picture is good. Across the country there are 2.6 million people in work with unemployment falling by 12,000 year-on-year.
“There are various things going on at the moment to improve things. There are courses to help with employment skills – things like CV writing, applications and how to research potential employers.”
Martin Nowakowski of the DWP added: “There are also initiatives underway to support those with disabilities. We’re working to identify those who have barriers and help them engage. It’s about helping them get over the barriers and ensuring they have the best opportunity to find work. Enhancing their digital capabilities is a big part of that.”
Across Scotland the claimant count was 81,500 – a year-on-year increase of 5,200 but a decrease of 1,600 on the previous month.
More than 600 jobs were slashed by major companies in Stirling last year, including 240 at the MOD base in Forthside and positions at HSBC at Castle Business Park and BHS in the Thistles.
The city centre has been hit by a number of store closures in the past few months – with long-established outdoor clothing suppliers Tiso announcing recently that they would be shutting up shop on Murray Place in March.
It is hoped that several new projects including the creation of a new £35 million care hub will bring more jobs to the city this year.
Theclaimantcounthas reduced by 51 per cent over a five year period