Record numbers of part time jobs in York

With the numbers claiming job seekers allowance in the City at a low level, the York Council has admitted that the numbers in part time employment are at record high levels.

Numbers of York residents in part time employment

Numbers of York residents in part time employment

The proportion (33%) in part time jobs is higher that either the regional (26.3%) or nation (25.3%) averages.

To a degree the figure may reflect the transient nature of the tourism sector of the York economy while many students in the City do actively seek out part time employment and shared jobs.

Nevertheless there has been a significant shift in working profiles over the last 4 years.

The numbers in employment in the City are still fewer than in 2011 (contrary to the national trend) and it will be 2020 before pre recession employment levels in the City are seen again

Challenged at the last Council meeting about the shortage in the social care sector the former Council Leader commented that,

“there is an ageing workforce, with expertise leaving the sector and increasing demand for services, all of which is putting pressure on the delivery of quality care services.

Looking at the shortage of key workers in social care is a focus for the transformation of adult social care which includes the following proposals:

  • for recruitment and retention of key workers in York and what the council could contribute/enable; and
  • for how CYC’s Workforce strategy could be amended to support the recruitment of key workers

 

This work is at a relatively early stage but will be progressed by the relevant Cabinet Members”

So it looks like things may get worse before they get better in the Social Care sector with job vacancies in other areas – such as construction and retail – also increasingly difficult to fill.

Fewer jobless in York

Figures released today (17 December) by the Office for National Statistics have shown the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen by 42.2 per cent since November 2013.

Liberal Democrats have welcomed today’s figures which means the number of claimants has fallen for the ninth consecutive month.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that unemployment has fallen again nationally.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

In the three months to October, unemployment fell by 63,000. The rate of unemployment stands at 6 per cent, its lowest level in 6 years.

There are 30.8m people in work and 1.7m new jobs have been created since Liberal Democrats entered government.

Locally the statistics show there to be 1,232 claimants in York, a decrease of 86 from last month. The claimant count represents 0.9 per cent of the working population contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.7 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which is currently 2 per cent.

Today’s figures mean there are 901 less claimants than in November 2013.

The ONS figures also showed youth unemployment levels decrease from 495 to 245 in the past year, a fall of 50.5 per cent since November 2013.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Today we’ve had another remarkable set of labour market figures, which show that the strong performance of the labour market has been broad based.

“This has led to an almost record share of the UK working age population being in work. In addition we are now seeing rises in average pay growth above inflation, meaning annual real wage rises for many workers.

“However there is still more to be done. Although youth unemployment has fallen in the past year, it remains too high.  That is why we will continue to encourage firms to invest in the UK and equip British workers with the skills they need to compete in the jobs market.”

Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:

“Once again, we have a new record for the number of people in work, which is great news in the run up to Christmas.

“But more than that, today’s earnings figures show that the positive effects of our economic recovery are beginning to show in people’s wage packets.

“There’s a lot more work to do to secure the recovery and to ensure that trend continues.  That’s why it’s so important to stick to the balanced plan that has secured the recovery in the next few years, and not allow a lurch away from common sense with Labour or the Tories.

“We have to keep the economy on the path of strong growth, rising employment, low inflation and rising wages so that more and more of the people who have worked so hard to turn the economy around feel the benefit.”

#strongereconomy

Borrow less than Labour cut less than Tories

Good jobs news for York

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click to access

York Council welcomes fall in number of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance and benefits

City of York Council has today welcomed figures from the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Work and Pensions which show a reduction in the number of people claiming both Jobseekers Allowance and benefits in the city.

Today’s figures released by the Office for National Statistics have shown that the number of people claiming Jobseekers allowance has fallen for the eighth consecutive month.

The statistics show there to be 1,318 claimants in York, a decrease of 57 from last month.

The claimant count represents 1.0 per cent of the working population contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.8 per cent. York has had lower unemployment rates than the rest of the region for over 15 years now

The figures are also much lower than the national average which is currently 2.1 per cent. Today’s figures mean there are 877 less claimants than in October 2013 and that the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance has fallen by 40 per cent in the past year.

York has also seen a fall in the number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseekers allowance with today’s figures showing a reduction of 235 over the past year, a fall of 44.3 per cent.

Figures also released today by the Department for Work and Pensions have shown that the number of residents claiming benefits has also fallen. The statistics show the number of claimants in York as of May 2014 is 10,180, a fall of 490 since February.

The claimant count represents 7.6 per cent of the working population in York, which is lower compared to both the regional average (14.4 per cent) and the national average (12.9 per cent).

What’s in a name?

confused1The York Council courted controversy in 2012 when announcing that it was setting up a £28 million Economic Infrastructure Fund (EIF)

The controversy centred on the Labour leadership’s decision to add around £20 million to the Council debts by borrowing much of the fund (the rest was to come from the governments “new homes bonus” deal).

Now a report has been published on the Councils “equalities” plan which shows a somewhat cavalier approach to history and consistency.

We are now assured that the £28 million has actually been invested in an “Economic Inclusion Fund (EIF)” !!

The fund is actually being used to pay for projects such as:

  • Refurbishment of Kings Square
  • Acquisition of an “Arts Barge”
  • Tour de France start
  • Newgate market refurbishment
  • New City centre bus stops
  • Holgate Road bridge into the York central site (“bridge to nowhere”)
  • Paving a small section of Fossgate
  • Paving the entrance to Hungate

 

Very little of this expenditure has contributed to a reduction in “inequalities” in the City.

When the Council comes to discuss the plan, no doubt someone will point out that the Equalities plan is already over 12 months behind scheduled.

Inventing links to existing – borderline reckless – capital expenditure decisions is disingenuous in the extreme.

Castlegate closure to be challenged

Opposition parties on the York Council have called in for reconsideration a plan to close the Castlegate youth advice and help centre.

Castlegate centre

The meeting will take place on 31st October and the reports can be read by clicking here

The Castlegate centre provides information, support and counselling for young people aged between 16-25 in York,

Probably the main issue concerns the proposal to transfer some youth advice services to West Offices.

It is difficult to think of a less suitable location.

The building can be intimidating, reception arrangements busy (see article above) and occasionally chaotic – despite the best endeavours of staff.

It is also noisy because of the atrium design.

The Council may wish to move the service to a more affordable location but West Offices would be a poor choice.

Unemployed numbers down in York

Figures released today (17 September) by the Office for National Statistics have shown the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen by 42.8 per cent since August 2013.

Today’s figures means the number of claimants in York has fallen for the sixth consecutive month.

The statistics show there to be 1,441 claimants in York, a decrease of 75 from last month.

The claimant count represents 1.1 per cent of the working population contrasts to the regional average which stands at 3 per cent.

The figures are also much lower than the national average which is currently 2.3 per cent.

Today’s figures mean there are 1,010 less claimants than in August 2013.

Unemployment down again in York as coalition policies take effect

Jobs growth in UK

Jobs growth in UK

Unemployment in York fell to 1.1% in June.

This is down from 1.8% 12 months ago.

Unemployment is now less than North Yorkshire (1.2 %) Yorkshire (3.1%) and Great Britain (2.4%).

Although attention will now switch to the quality of jobs in the City – and maybe concerns about labour shortfalls in areas like care services and retail – effectively the City now has full employment.

 

More apprentices sought in York

City of York Council is making a final call out to creative and cultural businesses who would like to access funding to create Apprenticeships and paid internships.

City of York Council will be applying for the Creative Employment Programme funding in August on behalf on a consortium of creative and cultural organisations in York and the surrounding area.

This is a £15m fund from Arts Council England, which is administered by Creative & Cultural Skills and designed to support the creation of traineeships, Apprenticeships and paid internship opportunities for young people aged 16-24. The programme provides part-wage grants to put towards the costs of a new apprentice or paid intern.

This can cover wage subsidies of between £1500 – £3000 for entry level roles in music, dance, theatre, literature, visual arts, contemporary craft, combined arts, galleries, circus, carnival arts, museums and libraries. This includes all sizes and types of employers, supporting technical and sector specific roles as well as support roles in areas such as marketing, business administration, finance and HR.

The consortium currently consists of 17 employers including libraries, galleries, theatre groups, museums and festivals who are looking to create around 20 internships and Apprenticeships for young people wanting to get into the creative and cultural sector. Any other businesses who would like to be involved should get in contact by Thursday 24 July, however, there may be the option to be part of the consortium at a later date if an interest has been expressed.

Those who wish to find out more can contact Julia Massey on 07769640241 or by email julia.massey@york.gov.uk.