Fall in Number of Rochdale Jobseekers

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rochdale has fallen by 117 to 7,382.

Dr Brian Sloan, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “Overall there continues to be positive news at the national level for employment and unemployment, however, the number of people moving into work has slowed sharply.

“Greater Manchester businesses are continuing to create jobs, but this is weak and we are looking to the early indications of our Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey that is now underway, for evidence of an improvement. In the current flat economic environment early indications are not showing signs of a strong pick up and, although the claimant count fall is encouraging, there is a mixed picture with falling unemployment to be balanced against the rise in economic inactivity.

“We are looking to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement to deliver growth opportunities in our region where there remains great potential to address these issues and create more jobs. Government must deliver certainty over the future direction of policy to give businesses the confidence to invest in the energy and infrastructure needs that will address the issues of worklessness in this region and go a long way to supporting long term planning of the skills needs of our young people.”