Jobless numbers in York down again

Fewer people in the city are claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Universal Credit (out of work).Employed

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics have shown a fall of 60 residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Universal Credit claimants (out of work) in March 2016 compared to last month’s figures, meaning there are now 970 claimants in the city.

The Jobseekers Allowance claimant count for York represents 0.5 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.5 per cent.

More people in work in York
The figures released also show an increase in the number of people in employment across the city during 2015.

Statistics from the Annual Population Survey have shown an increase in the number of people in Employment in January-December 2015 has increased by 5.3 per cent in York compared to the figures for 2014.

The number of people in employment in 2015 was 102,000, representing 76.3 per cent of the working age population, contrasting to the regional average which stands at 72.5 per cent and the national average which is 73.6 per cent.

The figures also showed an increase in the number of residents working full time in the city with an increase of 11.3 per cent compared to 2014.

The news comes after more than 800 people attended the York Jobs Fair earlier this month. The event offered the chance for residents to receive advice and speak to over 60 organisations who were hiring in the city.

York Council behind barricades over Quango critics

More reports are being published as the fall out, from the irregular payments to York officials audit report, continues.censored

The matter is up for discussion again at the next Council Executive meeting.

The Council’s constitution is being amended to permit speakers at Council meetings to criticise officials (but not to mount personal attacks on them).

However, no explanation of the delays in uploading a full version of the video of the last Council meeting have been offered. Instead the Chief Executive – in consultation with a gang of four Group Leaders – will head a new censorship committee. 

Further refinements in governance arrangements are promised next month amidst ominous warnings that more arms length Council companies may be in the pipeline.

No improvements in transparency are offered.

The officials identified in the Audit report have agreed to repay in full the amounts they received as Directors of City of York Trading. The auditors have confirmed that no retrospective approval of the payments is therefore required.

York Council using hi tech equipment to improve service stadards?

New road sweeper

New road sweeper

Weed killing by quad bike

Weed killing by quad bike

After a poor few years there are signs that some of the street level public services provided by the York Council are beginning to improve.

Last year saw parts of the City engulfed in weeds.

This year a quad bike is already zipping round the area applying weed killer to paths and gutters.

Blocked drainage gulley in Hammerton Close

Blocked drainage gulley in Hammerton Close

Litter and detritus is also another major problem as these photos show.

We hope that the new specialist street sweeping machines (above left) will soon make an impact…and that the Council has thought through how it will cleanse difficult to access areas.

We hope that the York Council will also make its street cleansing – and weed control – timetables available on their web site. Taxpayers should know how often they can expect their streets to be swept

Detritus at Grange Lane cycle path entrance

Detritus at Grange Lane cycle path entrance

Detritus in Chapelfields Road garage area

Detritus in Chapelfields Road garage area

Litter in Walton Place snicket

Litter in Walton Place snicket

We continue to report any issues that we see using the excellent “Fix my Street” web site