Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics have shown a 28.3% fall in the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in York, since February 2013.
Today’s statistics have shown an increase of 47 people claiming Job Seekers Allowance compared to last month’s figures meaning there are now 2230 claimants in the city, the lowest February figure since February 2008.
The claimant count represents 1.7% of the working population and stands less than half the regional average of 3.9%. The figures are also much lower than the national average, which stands at 3.0%. However.
Today’s figures also revealed a 45.5% decrease in the number of 18-24 year olds, claiming over one year. The statistics showed a decrease of 10 people claiming JSA from last month, meaning there are now 60 claiming, 50 less than one year ago.
The results also showed the number of claimants out of work for over one year has decreased by 20 from last month, totalling 500, this represents a 24.2% decrease of 160 from one year ago.
Youth unemployment was also shown to have decreased 35.7% since February 2013.
Vince Cable MP
Figures published today by the Office for National Statistics show that the level of unemployment has fallen again nationally.
Unemployment figures have fallen by 63,000 to 2.33 million in the three months to January 2014. The number of people in employment has risen to 30.19 million.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable said:
“Despite recent tough economic times, our workforce has shown itself to be resilient and flexible. A higher percentage of the adult population is now in work – that is higher even than in the USA. We were right to resist calls by some to make it easier to sack people and our strong employment performance in the downturn and subsequent recovery is testimony to this.
“These latest employment figures continue to show the UK labour market is improving rapidly – employment has grown by over 450,000 compared to a year ago. Ninety-five percent of all jobs created last year were full-time and unemployment is down to 7.2 percent, falling well below peak levels and the levels in most of Europe.
“The number of women in employment has continued to increase and is now at its highest level since comparable records began. And, whilst there is still more work to do on youth unemployment, the trend shows this is now falling and is less than when this Government came into office. “