Job Figures Keep Improving
The number of unemployed people in the East Midlands has fallen by almost 2,500, according to new job figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The rate is now at 5.1% which is below the national average of 5.6%.
People (aged 16-64) in employment in the region has increased by 10,400 to 2,152,769 in the three months to February, meaning there were 66,549 more people in work than in the same period last year.
The number of people in Chesterfield claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) stood at 1404, which is 562 lower than the figure announced in March 2014.
East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has welcomed the figures.
Chief Executive, George Cowcher, said: “This was another extremely positive set of employment figures, with the number of JSA claimants across the region falling significantly over the year, the number of people in work increasing and the unemployment rate in the East Midlands now well below the national average.
“Over the past five years, the unemployment rate in the East Midlands has fallen by 2.3% and largely this has been driven by the efforts of local businesses in creating the jobs and generating the growth needed to secure and sustain the economic recovery.
“Wage increases are also now higher than inflation and are boosting living standards – a focus on improving productivity from businesses will ensure this is sustainable.”
