Unemployment falls in Rotherham

MORE people in the Rotherham area have jobs than this time last year, according to new government figures which reveal that the number of people unemployed here has fallen again.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rotherham – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – has dropped by 1,534 on this time last year to 4,371.

For people aged 18-24 there are 1,010 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 475 or 32 per cent from last year.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that the unemployment fall in Rotherham is higher than in Doncaster and Sheffield and that many new opportunities are becoming available.

He said: “It looks like the labour market is going from strength to strength. I am really up to my neck is jobs.”

Mr Coleman said that opportunities have become available locally with Greencore, Single Resource, Iceland, Aldi, Hungry Horse and Wetherspoons, amongst others. Details are available at job centres.

He added that traineeships offered by the BBC in August to 18-24 year olds aim to make young people more computer savvy. The positions are available to people with qualifications up to one A-level.

Employment minister Priti Patel said: “The strength of UK labour market is something we should take great pride in. I was particularly pleased to see that today’s figures show real wages growing at the fastest rate since 2007.

“In Yorkshire and Humber alone, there are near record numbers of women in work. As part of our one nation government, we want everyone to succeed and achieve their full potential.

“With the government’s new productivity plan, and introduction of the new living wage, we are ensuring everyone benefits from the economic recovery.”