Growing number are back in a job

The number of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit claimants fell to 4,394 in October, a decrease of 152 (3 per cent) from the same period last year.

The Oldham figures reflect the picture from across the North-West with a record 3.35 million people now in employment in the region.

Ian Mitchell, district employer and partnership manager for JobCentre Plus, said: “Local job centres have been working with employers in Oldham to get more people into work, particularly the retail and delivery sectors as they launch their seasonal recruitment drive.

Successes

“Recently we have worked with Iceland on a recruitment for its new Oldham store and 14 previously unemployed claimants have been given jobs.

“We have also seen successes in Debenhams with four people who took part in a work experience scheme at the company going on to gain employment.

“Job centres across the country have also taken part in the Care Careers UK Campaign to promote vacancies in the care section and inspire people to consider caring as a vocation.”

He added that job centres have also been taking part in activities as part of the creation of the Northern Powerhouse and discussing how it could support people into work.

Nationally, unemployment has fallen by more than 100,000 to its lowest level in over seven years.

The jobless total was recorded at 1.75 million in the quarter to September, a fall of 103,000 from the previous three months and 210,000 down on a year ago.

The number of people in work has also continued to increase, to a record high of 31.2 million, 419,000 more than a year ago.

However the figures, from the Office for National Statistics, show that the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit rose nationally in October to 795,000.

The employment rate has reached 73.7 per cent, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.

The UK’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.3 per cent, compared with an EU average of 9.3 per cent.

The highest rates are in Greece (25 per cent) and Spain (21.6 per cent) while the lowest is in Germany (4.5 per cent).

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “Employment is at a record-breaking high, and wages have continued to grow strongly, demonstrating that this Government is delivering for hard-working people.

“With two million more people in work, the unemployment rate at its lowest in seven years, and the number of people on one of the main out-of-work benefits down by a million since 2010, it is clear that this Government is transforming lives for the better, and creating the higher wage, lower welfare society that British people want to see.

“But this growth is only one part of the story, because our one-nation approach involves a commitment to provide opportunity and security for everyone across the country.”