More people in work across Rotherham

AN EXTRA 430 people were in work across the Rotherham borough last month compared to last year, according to the latest statistics.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit in Rotherham - which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough - fell to 3,940 in June, a drop of 430 or 10 per cent on the year before.

For people aged 18-24, there were 830 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, a fall of 180 or 18 per cent from last year.

Nationally, the employment rate stood at a record high of 74.4 per cent for the March to May period.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said Rotherham was doing well in cutting unemployment levels.

He said: “We are still getting some good figures.”

Mr Coleman said that firms such as Capita and Max Spielmann have recently recruited new staff and a number of people have started work at AMRC.

He said fast food chain McDonald’s will be offering job opportunities across the district in the coming months, as will Ikea when it opens its Meadowhall store where vacancies will be advertised online.

Mr Coleman said the Meadowhall Jobs Fair will be held this year in a tent in the car park behind the shopping site’s management centre to accommodate the large numbers of people expected to attend.

The event, which is organised by Jobcentre Plus, will be held on September 21 and is expected to be double the size of last year’s Jobs Fair.

Mr Coleman said: “There is lots of stuff coming through to help people find work.”

The latest jobless figures show that there are 73,100 people out-of-work across the Yorkshire and Humber region, a fall of 9,900 on this time last year.

Employment minister Damian Hinds said: “We’re determined to make Britain a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. This includes helping more people of all ages and abilities to get into, and stay in work.

“There is good news in Yorkshire and the Humber, where there are now over 2.5 million people in work and a record number of women in work.

“Clearly, good progress has been made, and I’m encouraged to take forward the agenda to create an even more resilient labour market.”