Number claiming jobseekers allowance rises

Figures released today show that around 85,000 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in August 2012 – higher than the figure for July 2012 of 84,500, a monthly increase of 0.6% (+500).

Compared to this time last year, the overall number of JSA claimants in Greater Manchester is 4.6% (3,700 claimants) higher.

Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16–24) in Greater Manchester also demonstrated a slight rise on a monthly basis between July and August, increasing by nearly 190 to approximately 24,800.

More positively, long-term (6 months+) claimants in the region continued to fall in August 2012, albeit only by 90 (0.2%) to 38,700. This remains significantly higher (28.2%, an increase of 8,500) than this time last year, reflecting the situation in the North West (+29.0%) and Great Britain (+25.2%) as a whole.

Commenting on the data, Dr Alexander Roy, Head of Research at New Economy, said:
“This month’s jobs figures remain mixed – the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment figures for the North West show that unemployment is actually falling, from 9.4% to 9.0%, but the JSA claimant count continues to rise. Much of the increase comes from young people, particularly 16–17 year olds, so it is likely to be due to school-leavers and graduates yet to find work.

“Long-term unemployment also continues to fall, though only slowly. The overall picture is of a weak jobs market that is not declining but is struggling to create new jobs and absorb young people trying to enter employment. Recent jobs announcements from the likes of Easyjet and the Tomorrow scheme show that Greater Manchester is able to continue creating employment in growth sectors, which offers hope that the labour market will pick up more quickly as the year goes on.”