The number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Greater Manchester has fallen, figures released this week reveal.
There was a -3.8% drop of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) from 82,400 to 79,300 in the Greater Manchester area between May and June 2013.
The North West enjoyed a -3.5% drop while Great Britain as a whole saw a -3.8% fall, during the same period.
Baron Frankal, director of economic strategy at New Economy, said: “This month’s JSA figures reveal another solid decrease in claimants, continuing the positive trend of recent months.
“However, we are still, without a doubt, in the midst of a very tricky period for unemployment and face significant short-term challenges, especially as we approach the school leaver and graduation period.”
Youth unemployment – JSA claimants aged 16-24 – in Greater Manchester currently stands at around 20,700, falling by approximately 1,000 from May to June, and has dropped by -15.3% (3,700 claimants) compared to this time last year.
Long-term claimants (6+months) in Greater Manchester has also fallen by 600 to 38,300 people (-1.5%) from May to June, and has dropped by -2.2% (900 claimants) compared to this time last year.
There were also annual declines of -4.1% in the North West and of -4.8% in Great Britain.
Mr Frankal said: “Greater Manchester has won two bids – first of all, securing multi-million pounds worth of investment for development of the local talent pool that will turning scientific research into commercial success; and secondly, through the RGF bid by home shopping giant N Brown, where Greater Manchester’s position on the repatriation of textile manufacture to the UK will support hundreds of textile firms seeking investment for growth.
“These successes mean that Greater Manchester is preparing itself for future job growth, whilst smaller achievements such as today’s decrease in JSA figures help to fuel a fairly optimistic outlook.”
Picture courtesy of Helen Cobain, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
