Figures released this week showing that there are 139,000 more people in work across Yorkshire and the Humber and over 2.7 million more people across the United Kingdom back in work compared to 2010.
Youth unemployment last month in Harrogate and Knaresborough reached its lowest ever rate.
Official figures released this week show that the youth unemployment rate locally was 1.1 per cent with just 65 people claiming job seekers allowance or other out-of-work benefits aged between 16 and 24 years old.
Back in May 2010 there were 295 young people in our area out of work.
Total unemployment in the constituency matched its lowest ever figure with 399 people in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge claiming out-of-work benefits. That is an unemployment rate of less the one per cent.
Mr Jones said:
The figures are really quite encouraging. The major factor is the robust nature of our local jobs market with businesses hungry to succeed and expand. The environment has to be right for businesses to grow and create jobs and I believe the Government and local councils are providing that environment.
A critical, and sometimes forgotten, element is the brilliant staff at our local Job Centre. They work with clients to place them in the best possible jobs. Help is provided with CVs, job hunting, updating skills and many other aspects of the job seeking process. These ongoing low unemployment figures are a great tribute to their work.
Although the figures are good and the improvement sustained we can never be complacent. It is important that we continue our efforts to ensure that everyone who wants a job is best placed to find one and that we have a strong economy – nationally and locally – able to generate job opportunities.
In Skipton and Ripon, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while not in employment has fallen by 667 – a 64 per cent drop – since 2010.
The record figures also show that wages are continuing to grow, with average total pay up 2.3 per cent, while inflation over the same period remained low. With employment at a record 74.5 per cent, and the percentage of 16-24 year olds in full time study or work at 86% and close to its record high, the figures show that the number of people in work remains at record levels.
Julian Smith MP said:
Today’s figures show that employment is growing across all the regions and nations of the United Kingdom as we build a Britain that works for everyone not just the privileged few.
The number of people in Skipton and Ripon relying on the key out of work benefits has fallen by 667 since 2010 – a 64% drop. Nevertheless, we aren’t complacent which is why we’re pressing ahead with welfare reforms like Universal Credit making sure that it always pays for people to be in work.
With the employment rate at a record high, the unemployment rate at its lowest level in over 10 years, and wages up whilst inflation has remained low, we are making sure that everyone can share in the country’s wealth.
