More Good News on Jobs

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit across the region has fallen once again.

Figures released this morning show a reduction in Jobseekers Allowance claimants of 2,533 across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire from 42,223 in October to 38,690 in November – a fall of 17,475 compared with November 2013.

The countywide figure for Derbyshire showed a drop of 434 from 7,570 to 7,136 for the month, a reduction of 3,299 for the year.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1446 in November, which has dropped by 503 from 1949 since the same month in 2013 and the figure is now at its lowest since June 2008 which stood at 1449.  It is the lowest figure recorded in the town on the records which go back to 1992.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber – the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire – said: “The continuing fall in the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants is welcome and is indicative of the strength of the local economy.

“The East Midlands region has been one of the main drivers of the economic recovery and the provisional results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey carried out by the Chamber suggest that firms are continuing to recruit and will do well into 2015.

“What is important now is for the gap between the skills of school leavers and the needs of employers to be closed so that more young people are properly prepared for work and for Government to make sure business has easy access to the finance it needs to invest for the future to create even more jobs.

“There is little doubt now that interest rates will rise next year. It is vital for business that the increase is controlled so that it doesn’t punish firms which have already invested and cause them to review recruitment plans or even reduce staff levels to offset any increase in the cost of borrowing.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber