Unemployment rises in North West

THE number of unemployed people in the North West continues to rise even though the national figure is falling.

The quarterly unemployment figure to April 2012 showed an 2.5% increase in jobless numbers on the previous quarter – up by 8,000 to 325,000, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

This is despite a nationwide fall of 0.2% in the unemployment rate, or 51,000 people, bringing the total to 2.61m.

Unemployment figures in Greater Manchester also witnessed a fall for the third month in a row – unemployment for the quarter dropped by 1,378 to 84,432.

Dr Brian Sloan, chief economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, argued that the improved figures for the area were due to private sector growth.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey from the first quarter of this year accurately predicted this positive trend, however the scale of jobs actually created has not matched expectations showing that the current uncertainty over the economic outlook is putting a brake on appointments.

“Low growth and further public sector cuts to come will likely lead to an increase in the headline numbers in the following months, but we must focus on nurturing confidence as the potential for growth in our region is great.”