Figures released today (17 December) by the Office for National Statistics have shown the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen by 42.2 per cent since November 2013.
Liberal Democrats have welcomed today’s figures which means the number of claimants has fallen for the ninth consecutive month.
Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that unemployment has fallen again nationally.
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In the three months to October, unemployment fell by 63,000. The rate of unemployment stands at 6 per cent, its lowest level in 6 years.
There are 30.8m people in work and 1.7m new jobs have been created since Liberal Democrats entered government.
Locally the statistics show there to be 1,232 claimants in York, a decrease of 86 from last month. The claimant count represents 0.9 per cent of the working population contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.7 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which is currently 2 per cent.
Today’s figures mean there are 901 less claimants than in November 2013.
The ONS figures also showed youth unemployment levels decrease from 495 to 245 in the past year, a fall of 50.5 per cent since November 2013.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“Today we’ve had another remarkable set of labour market figures, which show that the strong performance of the labour market has been broad based.
“This has led to an almost record share of the UK working age population being in work. In addition we are now seeing rises in average pay growth above inflation, meaning annual real wage rises for many workers.
“However there is still more to be done. Although youth unemployment has fallen in the past year, it remains too high. That is why we will continue to encourage firms to invest in the UK and equip British workers with the skills they need to compete in the jobs market.”
Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:
“Once again, we have a new record for the number of people in work, which is great news in the run up to Christmas.
“But more than that, today’s earnings figures show that the positive effects of our economic recovery are beginning to show in people’s wage packets.
“There’s a lot more work to do to secure the recovery and to ensure that trend continues. That’s why it’s so important to stick to the balanced plan that has secured the recovery in the next few years, and not allow a lurch away from common sense with Labour or the Tories.
“We have to keep the economy on the path of strong growth, rising employment, low inflation and rising wages so that more and more of the people who have worked so hard to turn the economy around feel the benefit.”
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