Jobless total continues to rise

Rochdale's jobless total has risen again and the town has recorded one of its worst unemployment figures in the last decade.

There are 7,657 people out of work in Rochdale according to the latest government statistics, a rise of 152 on last month's figure.

The total comprises 5,603 men and 2,054 women.

It represents 6% of the working population and compares unfavourably with the North West regional percentage of 4.7% and the national percentage of 4.2%.

Overall unemployment in Greater Manchester has also risen sharply, with the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance rising to 81,633 compared with 79,292 last time figures were released.

Peter Heginbotham OBE, President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is obviously disappointing news for the region, with unemployment figures rising across all boroughs without exception.

"History tells us that unemployment continues to rise during a recovery period but what is disappointing about the increase, quite apart from the effect on each individual, is that this is despite businesses and employees being much more inventive in this recession, preferring reduced hours, job-sharing and other initiatives to job losses."