Brexit uncertainty leading to rising unemployment

In Mansfield the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance was 1,405 - a rise of 10.5 per cent year on year.

However in the 18-24 range unemployment fell by 6.3 per cent.

In Ashfield the claimant count was 1,505 - a 7.1 per cent rise and for young people, the figure grew by 10.9 per cent.

Simon Lavelle, DWP spokesman for Nottinghamshire, said: “There is an unstable market around the area.

“Existing employers are not investing as much as is needed.

“The local authorities are trying to get people to move to the area all the time.

“Brexit seems to be proving a big worry in terms of investing.”

He said employers should give older workers on the job market a better chance.

The recent focus had been on apprenticeships for people aged 18-24 and getting this age group into work.

We have been working hard with those aged 18-14.

“Overall employers are not taking on older workers in the age group 45-50.

We have been engaging with employers to persuade them these people are reliable and to change their way of thinking.

“When people have been made redundant it has been difficult to get them back into work.

“We want to reeducate employers and local authorities to see these people are more reliable and may have worked for 10 or 15 years for the same employer and should be given a chance.”

The general national trend in unemployment is down.

Government ministers say employment nationally remains at a record high.