West Midlands again shows largest unemployment fall in past year
UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen more in the West Midlands than anywhere else in the country during the past 12 months – for the second month in succession.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown that 43,000 more people were out of work this time last year compared with the 157,000 (5.7%) classified as unemployed at the end of the July to September quarter this year.
The fall equates to a rate of 1.6% – far better than the region’s nearest rival, Yorkshire and The Humber, which saw a fall of 1.3% (37,000) over the same period.
The performance is very similar to the June to August performance (announced last month) which showed a 42,000 drop compared with a year ago.
Nationally, there were 103,000 fewer people out of work by the end of September than the end of June with the UK’s latest total standing at 1.75m – a rate of 5.3%. The rate is down from 6% 12 months ago when there were almost 210,000 more people out of work.
Commenting on the figures, Mike Steventon, Midlands Regional Chair at KPMG, said: “Today’s ONS statistics show a positive shift in the West Midlands employment picture. With employment levels at 71.4% for July to September, an increase of 0.7% on the previous quarter and 1.6% on the same period last year, we are seeing a bigger move in the right direction than we have for some time.
“But it’s on unemployment levels where we can see a real difference – after remaining relatively stagnant for some time, there was a 0.4% drop in unemployment to 5.8% last quarter.
“These figures must be celebrated, because they show that the UK’s engine for growth is really getting up steam and creating employment for the people who live within our region. What’s important now is to continue this momentum by ensuring business works closely with the education sector to enhance the knowledge and skills of the West Midlands workforce and those seeking work, and to work together as a region to seek economic opportunity and the jobs it provides.”
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Following last month’s disappointing labour market plateau for the West Midlands, today’s figures paint a much more positive picture with our employment rate increasing by 0.7% since the second quarter of 2015, second only to the North West.
“If we look at how far the West Midlands has come over the last year then there is even more good news as we have seen a 1.6% increase in employment. It is a testament to the inherent strength within the region that our yearly performance matches that of the South West, and surpasses the employment rate increase of the North West region.
“Nevertheless, in terms of absolute numbers we all know that we still have a way to go and so we cannot rest on our laurels if we want to make sure that we continue to regain ground on the employment levels for the rest of the country.”
