Unemployment increases in North West

THE unemployment rate in the North West continued to climb in the three months to May despite an overall fall across the UK.

The number of unemployed people increased by 6,000 to 331,000 between March and May – around 9.5% of the working population.

The national jobless figures showed a decline of 65,000 people to 2.58m.

New figures from the Institute for Public Policy Research also show that unemployment across the north of England has risen by 100,000 within the past 12 months.

Speaking in Manchester today, the Labour Party’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, said: “Britain is now one of just two G20 countries in a double-dip recession. Our economy has shrunk over the last 18 months, long-term unemployment is soaring and borrowing is going up.

“The Government’s plan has completely failed. That’s why we need a change of course and a real plan for jobs and growth.”

Meanwhile, the party’s parliamentary candidate for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, has criticised the impact that government cuts has had on childcare, with Sure start centres closing and a significantly higher proportion of women becoming unemployed.

She said:”“For many people being in work is becoming unaffordable. The number of women now unemployed unable to find enough hours and the right hours around their childcare costs is only going to increase.

“We are looking at a huge ticking time bomb of economically inactive women – the legacy of which will last for years. Making work pay for women and providing affordable childcare will save money in the long run.”

The claimant count in Greater Manchester fell slightly to 83,736 people, compared with 84,432 last month. Dr Brian Sloan, chief economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said Greater Manchester’s jobless numbers fell for the fourth month in succession.

“Challenges remain, particularly in addressing the high level of youth unemployment, and whilst we are moving in the right direction more must be done to support investment.

“There are many infrastructure and large scale private sector investments that have been stalled for too long and we must get these underway to create more jobs in our region, especially in the construction sector.

In the months ahead there will be upward pressure on unemployment and the Jobseeker’s Allowance count, as young people leave full-time education and this will mask some of the positive news.”