Jobs boost as unemployment drops by a fifth in Nottinghamshire

Unemployment has dropped by nearly a fifth in Nottinghamshire in the past year, according to new figures.
The number of jobseeker's in Nottinghamshire has decreased by 18.5 per cent in the past year.The number of jobseeker's in Nottinghamshire has decreased by 18.5 per cent in the past year.
The number of jobseeker's in Nottinghamshire has decreased by 18.5 per cent in the past year.

The data from the Office for National Statistics shows there were 7,725 people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance last month, compared with 9,490 in October 2014 - a drop of 18.5 per cent.

And the numbers show 260 people gained employment since September 2015.

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Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, hailed the figures as “great news” for the area.

He said: “We’re succeeding, and local people are succeeding, in getting off benefits and back into work.

“In the last 12 months that’s more than 1,700 people with more financial security and better prospects, with more freedom to get on in life and support their families.

“It’s also 1,700 less people claiming unemployment benefit and a reduced cost to the taxpayer, so some of that money can be spent on other things locally and we can continue to reduce the deficit.

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“Most promising is that young people are among the most successful in finding work.

“All of that is great news for our area and comes as a result of the Government’s plan that has improved our economy and made more jobs available across the area and the whole country.”

Gloria De Piero, Labour MP for Ashfield, sounded a note of caution regarding the figures in her constituency.

She said: “The overall fall in unemployment is welcome but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to tackling long-term adult unemployment in this area.

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“The number of people aged 25 and over in Ashfield who have been signing on for two years or more has rocketed by 175 per cent. It’s also deeply concerning that too few of the jobs around pay people enough to make ends meet.

“That is why the figures show pay rates have fallen over the past two months.

“Given this pressure on incomes, the last thing the Government should do is take money out of the pockets of low- and medium-income families in Ashfield by cutting their tax credits.

Sir Alan Meale, Labuor MP for Mansfield, said: “The key thing is that there is more and more youth unemployment and it is getting worse.

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“What we need to do is give Government money and pour it into West Notts College and other areas so they can take on young people .

“We want the right type of jobs here to stop people leaving the area when they have been trained.”