Number of people out-of-work falls again

Statistics from the Office for National Statistics showed that the number of people that claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance JSA) and Universal Credit in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – fell by 825 in February compared to 4,465 last year.

There was also a 23 per cent drop in the number of unemployed 18 to 24 year olds.

A total of 1,045 people claimed JSA or Universal Credit last month - a fall of 315 from 2015.

Nationally, the employment rate now stands at 74.1 per cent.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said: “It has been another good month.

“The figures are all looking very encouraging again.

“We are not getting the high drops we were getting but it is still going in the right direction.”

Mr Coleman said work experiencehas helped young people get into work.

He said apprenticeships have also helped and added that 104,900 have taken up apprenticeships in the Yorkshire and Humber region in the last year.

Mr Coleman added: “From June 2011 to 2015, 47.900 people in long-term unemployment have found work whilst on the Work Programme.”

Mr Coleman said there are still hundreds of temporary vacancies with Pearson Edexcel on the Hellaby Industrial Estate covering eight or nine weeks from May working on processing exams and sector-based work academies.

South Yorkshire Transport Executive and Toyoda Gosei on Bessemer Way, Masbrough, have also proved beneficial in providing training, work experience and jobs.

There are 60 vacancies with Greencore in Kiveton, as well as opportunities with other employers across the area, particularly at sites such as Meadowhall and Ikea which has 400 vacancies.

Employment minister Priti Patel said: “This is another strong set of figures showing private-sector employment at the highest since records began, wages rising and a near record number of job vacancies available in the UK economy. This strength is a real credit to hard-working people and businesses alike.

“There is really good news for the Yorkshire and Humber too, where the number of people in work is now at a record high, and the employment rate at 71.9 per cent."