Unemployment falls again across Rotherham

A total of 4,375 people claimed jobseeker’s allowance and universal credit in Rotherham in March — including Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough — a fall of 785 or 15 per cent on 2015.

There were 1,015 people aged 18 to 24 who claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit — a fall of 275 or 21 per cent from last year.

Nationally, the employment rate stands at 74.1 per cent.

Although there has been a slight increase in unemployment nationally, rising to 1.7 million between December and February, Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that Yorkshire and The Humber — and Rotherham in particular — has bucked the trend.

Mr Coleman said: “We have got some more impressive figures.”

Mr Coleman added that across Yorkshire and The Humber as a whole, 104,000 people have started apprenticeships in the last year.

He said there were still some temporary vacancies with Pearson Edexcel on the Hellaby Industrial Estate covering eight or nine weeks from May working on processing exams. Applications will be open until April 30.

Toyoda Gosei on Bessemer Way, Masbrough, is still looking for recruits too.

New stores coming to Parkgate in Rotherham will provide employment opportunities. The Works is set to open its biggest store in the country there soon and Smyth’s Toys is recruiting for its new premises which open in June.

Stafforce in Rotherham is offering ongoing work experience opportunities and the IKEA store coming to Sheffield is likely to have 350 vacancies, with some opportunities for local construction workers.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Stephen Crabb said: “We remain in a position of strength, with a record employment rate, wages continuing to grow steadily and three quarters of a million vacancies available in the labour market.

“At 2.52 million, there are close to record numbers of people in work in Yorkshire and The Humber with employment 139,000 higher than in 2010

“Work is essential in transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged people in society and is at the heart of our welfare reforms. We are committed to ensuring that everyone across the country benefits from our strong economy and the opportunities this brings.” 

Neil Carberry, CBI director for employment and skills, said: “With more uncertainty in the economy it’s not surprising that labour market performance shows signs of levelling off, with employment growing at the slowest rate since last summer while unemployment edged up a little. 

“Employers are also having to take on increased costs associated with a range of new policies on wages and skills, which may have delayed growth plans.”