Jobseekers continue monthly decline in Greater Manchester

Figures released today show that 84,000 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in April 2013 – a strong decrease of just over 1,500 (-1.8%) when compared with the figure for March 2013 of 85,500, though smaller than the declines seen in the North West (-2.6%) and Great Britain (-2.9%).

As a proportion of the resident working age population, 4.8% of people in Greater Manchester were claiming JSA in April, though this remains above the North West (4.2%) and Great Britain (3.7%).

Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16–24) in Greater Manchester declined on a monthly basis between March and April, falling by approximately 1,000 to around 22,300. Year-on-year, the number of youth JSA claimants is now 14.9% (3,900) less than this time last year.

However, there was an increase in long-term (6 months+) claimants in Greater Manchester in April 2013 to 38,500, a monthly rise of 600 (1.6%). On an annual basis the number of long-term claimants remains at a similar level to this time last year, up by 0.3% (a slight increase of 130) but in marked contrast to the annual declines seen in the North West (-2.1%) and Great Britain (-3.2%).

Commenting on the data Baron Frankal, director of economic strategy at New Economy, said: “All indicators, not least the latest youth employment warnings from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the stubborn persistence of long-term unemployment, point to extremely challenging circumstances over the next period.”

“Yet whilst it is too soon to say any phrase with the word “green” or “shoots” in it, much of the recent underlying data is beginning to give some credence to the possibility that we may have turned a corner. Employment has held up remarkably well over the last five years, and so there is some expectation that it will pick up correspondingly slowly in any recovery. However, optimism and confidence do eventually translate into jobs.”

“There is a good deal going on in the Greater Manchester economy to help build that confidence, and much more capitalising to be done on areas that have grown, such as the digital sector, and financial and professional services, which continues to be our biggest industry and employer, and is still forecast to create more jobs than any other area by some way. If we are to fire on all cylinders in areas like commercialising the excellence of our scientific research, there would be even more reasons to be cheerful.”