Rotherham job figures show fall in unemployment

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – has fallen by 1,067 on this time last year to 4,504.

For people aged 18-24 there are 1,140 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 340 or 23 per cent from last year.

Nationally, the employment rate now stands at 73.6 per cent, the highest rate since records began in 1971.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that there have been recent successes in providing jobs in the area.

He said that the Meadowhall Jobs Fair at the end of September saw more than 1,500 people attend looking for work from the 32 employers who had stands there. A bigger jobs fair is planned for next year.

Sector-based work academies have seen success with Rotherham NHS and Toyota participating, and Pizza Hut at Parkgate – which opens on November 25 – still has 30 vacancies after a big recruitment drive.

Royal Mail is offering temporary seasonal work with possibly up to 500 positions.

Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "This is a fantastic set of figures, which show more people in work than ever before and a strong growth in wages. That is a credit to British business, and a credit to the hardworking people of this country.

"Alongside this, unemployment has fallen to the lowest level since 2008, and long-term unemployment has dropped by a staggering quarter over the last year.

"The female employment rate in the Yorkshire and the Humber is higher than in London.

"This positive picture is replicated up and down the country, and demonstrates that this one nation government is delivering a society with opportunity and security for all at its heart."

Business leaders were pleased that nationally the number of people out of work had fallen to 1.77 million between June and August, down 79,000 from the previous quarter.

Interim chief policy director for the Confederation of British Industry, Matthew Fell, said: “We’re encouraged by businesses creating more jobs, leading to rising employment. It’s also good to see falling unemployment, particularly among those out of work for more than one year dropping by 44,000. 

“While we want to see higher pay growth, this must go hand in hand with increases in productivity. It’s crucial that the Low Pay Commission retains autonomy over future National Living Wage rises to avoid unnecessary political interference and help boost jobs.”