Unemployment claimant count rises

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

Last month 7,236 claimed the benefit compared with 7,138 the month before. 

Dr Brian Sloan, Head of Business and Economic Policy at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “At face value Greater Manchester’s claimant count doesn’t look particularly encouraging, but given the upward pressures on this number we feel this reinforces the findings of Our Quarterly Economic Survey that businesses are recruiting.
“This should help to build consumer confidence and boost demand. Our survey also indicates private sector job creation is picking up and is set to improve in the coming months.

“The small fall in unemployment nationally is another piece of positive news for consumers and the domestic economy, following on from yesterday’s fall in inflation.

“As the recovery continues private sector job creation is now far outpacing losses in the public sector, but our region continues to see a larger proportion of these losses than some others.

“Today’s figures highlight that although North West unemployment has increased, part of this increase is due a fall in the number of the economically inactive, as people seek to re-engage with the labour market.”