More people in work

There are more people in work across Monklands than during the same time period last year.

Alternative Claimant Counts (ACC) in Airdrie & Shotts registered at 2922 in October 2021 – a significant 1238 reduction on claims made 12 months earlier.

The neighbouring Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill ward saw 2886 ACC claims made, which was down a huge 1502 on the total registered in October 2020.

Meanwhile, Universal Credit claims made in North Lanarkshire have decreased slightly, with November 2021’s 32,729 total down 102 on the previous month.

Joan Guild, the Department of Work and Pensions’(dwp) employer and partnership manager for North Lanarkshire, said:“over the last year our job centres have stepped up to support local people and businesses affected by the pandemic.

“The Kickstart scheme has been a great success. Good quality work has been provided for young people worst affected by the pandemic, with local employers, such as ACS Clothing and The Mad Batter Bakery.

“In the new year we’ll be concentrating on recruiting for the key industries in care, hospitality and warehousing.”

Minister for Welfare Delivery David Rutley added:“more than a million people on Universal Credit are now benefiting from around £1000 extra a year on average thanks to the rapid changes we have made before Christmas, proof of our promise to support low income families.

“Matching this with our Plan for Jobs means we’re helping those out of work find rewarding roles, while £500 million of support funding is available to assist the most vulnerable.”