Unemployment falls 40,000

UNEMPLOYMENT in the North West fell 40,000 to 292,000 in the three months to August, official figures have revealed.

The Office for National Statistics said the North West figures, which represent 8.4% of the workforce,  followed a downward trend seen across the UK, which was down 50,000 to 2,53 million in the period.

Encouragingly youth unemployment fell 62,000 to 957,000, the lowest figure in more than a year, while self-employment continued its upward trend, rising 35,000 to 4.2 million.

The ONS said employment in the quarter rose by 212,000 to 29.59 million, the highest it has ever been since record began in 1971.

Dr Brian Sloan, chief economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: ““Part time working and self-employment, as a result of unemployment push, are also increasing.

“The domestic economy remains very weak in this region and more must be done to support growth to create sustainable and long term job opportunities to address worklessness.”