Unemployment Figures

Responding to the labour market statistics released today showing JSA claimants in Rochdale have risen for the second month in a row by 21 to 7,658, Dr Brian Sloan, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “This rise in the claimant count is not unexpected given the weak economic conditions in Greater Manchester, accompanied by policy shifts and young people leaving full time education.

"The wider North West has performed better, more in line with the national picture, though comparing this latest release with the previous month's however, suggests that job creation in the North West is stalling.

“The summer period has been a very slow period for the region's economy, but these trends highlight the challenge of addressing high levels of worklessness, public sector spending dependency and getting back on to a sustainable growth path. We can sit back and blame the Eurozone or global conditions, but in reality more can be done now in the North West to secure our long term growth potential and provide job opportunities.

“The Atlantic Gateway projects, to be delivered over a period of 20 years, offer that chance to create growth now and give time to plan for the skills needs of businesses in the years ahead, securing jobs for our young people currently in education. Greater Manchester must be bolder in driving the delivery of these projects that will create the critical mass of economic activity for all to benefit.”