Jobless total static in Rotherham, latest figures reveal

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – stayed at 4,190 for November, the same as the year before.

But for people aged 18 to 24 there were 1,030 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, a rise of 40 or four per cent from this time last year.

Nationally, unemployment fell by 16,000 for the August to October period, with unemployment nationally at 1.62 million. The unemployment rate for the three months has stayed at 4.8 per cent, the same as last month’s figure.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus in Rotherham, said the employment situation in the district appears to be stablising with some small monthly “bubbling about” of figures.

He said: “We have such high employment within South Yorkshire that we are bound to have this.”

Mr Coleman said there was still lots of recuitment taking place in the Rotherham district. 

He said Blue Arrow is recruiting for Capita in the Dearne Valley and is likely to continue to do so, and betting organisations have been taking people on for training in the Rotherham area.

G4S is also looking for event staff.

In the Cortonwood area there are likely to be vacancies on new developments in the new year.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Damian Green said that 2016 had shown positive signs for people looking for work.

He said: “This year will be remembered as one when so many records were made — employment has consistently been running at an all-time high with more women, older workers and ethnic minority groups in work than ever before.

“Encouragingly, this good news was extended right across the UK.

“But there is more to do to help people of all backgrounds and abilities into work, which will remain a priority as we press ahead with our welfare reforms that are ensuring it always pays to be in work.”