Unemployment claimant count rises

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rochdale has risen.

Last month 7,138 claimed the benefit compared with 7,109 the month before.

Jerry Stokes, Chief Executive of Work Solutions, an organisation working with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce which helps get unemployed adults into work, said: “Today’s national labour market statistics will be welcomed by the Government as they show a fall in unemployment. It is disappointing that this trend is not reflected in the North West, with data showing that unemployment is increasing and the number of people in work is falling.

“Our data suggesting there has been healthy private sector job creation in manufacturing and the professional services sector across Greater Manchester, which has led to the claimant count for Greater Manchester falling by 142 in May.

"This would have been stronger had we not started to see the impact of public sector losses and the Government’s policy of moving people to Jobseeker’s Allowance from other benefits.

“We should take this as positive news that business confidence is holding up at present and there are jobs out there; but regional disparities exist and it will be easier for some rather than others to find work.”