More are in work, latest figures show

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – fell by 60 or 1.3 per cent to 4,455 for March compared to a year ago.

Among people aged 18 to 24, there were 1,075 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, a fall of five or 0.5 per cent on this time last year.

Nationally, unemployment fell by 45,000 for the December-February period, with unemployment nationally at 1.56 million. The unemployment rate for the December to February period is 4.7 per cent.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus in Rotherham, said: “It’s still going in the right direction everywhere.

“There are definitely more jobs out there than there are people applying for them.”

Mr Coleman said that a recent jobs fair organised by Rotherham Jobcentre attracted 1,270 invited jobseekers and many were offered roles by the 40 employers and training providers which attended.

Other jobs fairs are to be organised across the county.

A number of employers also have opportunities available.

Edexcel has 2,000 roles in Rotherham to help administer exam papers and Trackworks has vacancies, as well as Primark at Parkgate which wants 60 to 80 more staff.

In Sheffield, Aviva is looking for 25 people to fill vacancies and Home Office job roles are being administered by recruitment agency Brook Street.

The Light Cinema in Sheffield has positions to fill and Amazon in Doncaster has 700 permanent jobs, with more likely later.

There are also roles available with Hitachi Rail, Ceva and Wabtec, as well as Smyths Toys and The Range.

Secretary of State Damian Green said: “More people are finding full time jobs and average wages have grown yet again, meaning more families have the security of a regular wage."

Rachel Smith, principal labour market economist for the Confederation of British Industry, said: “It’s good to see more people in work, and with the level of vacancies the highest on record, access to the right skills remains a key challenge.

“With inflation rising, real pay growth has fallen back for the third month in a row now. This remains a concern, so it’s vital that productivity increases if we are to see earnings head up.

“Developing a modern industrial strategy, making the most of a skilled workforce that delivers across the UK, will be key to helping firms give productivity a meaningful boost.”