Unemployment claimant count falls

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

Last month 7,569 people claimed the benefit compared with 7,741 the month before.

Dr Brian Sloan, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The fall in the claimant count across Greater Manchester in November is encouraging at this time and more positive is the fall of 630 in the number of young people aged 18 to 24 claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

“The North West is certainly outperforming the national picture in terms of job creation. The headlines may point to the region’s rise in unemployment, however this is due to an increase in economically inactive people who are now looking for work.

“Whether these trends will be maintained in the months ahead is uncertain, but the Government has responded to the Chamber’s call for infrastructure investment, support for exporters and regulatory reform with plans announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. What we need now is swift execution of these plans without delay.”