Jobseekers decline again in Greater Manchester

Figures released yesterday show that 82,400 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in May 2013 – a decrease of 1,500 (1.8%) when compared with the figure for April 2013 of 84,000. The North West (2.6%) and Great Britain (2.8%) also saw monthly decreases. As a proportion of the resident working age population, 4.7% of people in the conurbation were claiming JSA in May. This is still above the rate in the North West (4.1%) and Great Britain (3.6%).

Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16-24) in Greater Manchester declined on a monthly basis between April and May, falling by approximately 650 to around 21,800. Year-on-year, the number of youth JSA claimants is 14.1% (3,600) lower than this time last year.

There was an increase in long-term (6 months+) claimants in Greater Manchester in May 2013 to 38,800, a monthly rise of 300 (0.8%). On an annual basis the number of long-term claimants is approximately the same as this time last year. The North West (0.6%) and Great Britain (0.7%) saw annual declines in long-term claimants.

Commenting on the data Baron Frankal, director of economic strategy at New Economy, said: “Today's unemployment benefit data adds to the weight of tentative evidence that, within the small ups and downs the economy will be experiencing over the next years, we seem finally to have found an upswing that everyone will quickly label "recovery”.

“The news that inflation has fallen for the first time since Autumn 2012 is part of this narrative, as is the continued success of Greater Manchester's services industry and the continued resilience of our manufacturing sector. Jobseeker rates remain very poor though, and still well within the realm of a long-term generational challenge, but this change in direction, however slight, is to be welcomed, and it looks increasingly like in a small way it can be sustained.

”There are still many counter-indicators of course, such as the weak lending figures released last week by the UK's central bank. Access to finance for Greater Manchester's business base remains a huge issue, and an underlying theme that contributes toward the prevention of expansion and so job creation that would help make the employment figures even better."