Unemployment at all time high

Unemployment in Greater Manchester is at an all time high according to the latest figures.

In January 86,240 people in Greater Manchester claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance, an increase of 4,266 on December.

In Rochdale there were 8,001 claimants in January compared with 7,482 in December.

Dr Brian Sloan, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Today’s unemployment figures reveal that the claimant count across Greater Manchester reached an all time high of 86,240 in the month to January, an increase of 4,266. The increase from December reflects a similar sized jump recorded twelve months ago as temporary workers are released after Christmas, but this is particularly disappointing given that the national total of claimants increased by 6,900.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey indicated that the outlook for employment was extremely weak, therefore this is not entirely unexpected. Unemployment is picking up pace in the North West and this will reinforce the region’s domestic slowdown. We have made strong arguments that the region’s economy needed more support from both the Government and the Bank of England, and this demonstrates that the time for words is long gone.

“We must see targeted support and real game changing infrastructure investment in the North West from the Government when the Chancellor delivers his Budget speech in March. The North offers great potential to deliver growth now and for the long term; Government has said the right things about delivering growth in the regions, but there has been little in the way of action. Sadly the result is the increase in those out of work that we see today.”