Chamber Reflects on Strengthening Jobs Market

There are now 45,000 more people in work than there were a year ago in the East Midlands and more than 37,000 fewer people are unemployed, according to figures released this morning.

The Office for National Statistics issued its latest monthly regional employment bulletin earlier, which showed there were 2.225m people aged 16-64 in employment in the three months to March 2015, compared to 2.18m in the same period in 2014.

The number of unemployed people was 114,447, compared to 151,574 in 2014, meaning the regional unemployment rate currently stands at 5.1%, compared to the national rate of 5.5%.

The number of people in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) fell by 999 in April, meaning there were 16,595 fewer claimants across the area than there were a year ago.

The number of people in Chesterfield claiming the benefit stood at 1312, which is 616 lower than the figure announced in April 2014.

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has welcomed the figures.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive, said: “Today’s employment and claimant figures once again highlight how strong the East Midlands economy is at the moment, with businesses continuing to create jobs and drive the growth that is needed to fully rebalance the national economy.

“It’s also pleasing that earnings continue to increase and boost living standards – a focus on improving productivity from businesses will ensure this is sustainable.

“Businesses need a continued period of stability in order to deliver the growth and prosperity the country needs and the new Government has the opportunity to use its strengthened mandate to bring forward initiatives which will maintain and build upon the momentum the economy has built-up over the past two years.”