Further fall in number of York jobseekers and residents claiming benefits

National statistics released today have revealed the number of residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance and benefits in York has again fallen.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown the number of York residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance has again fallen. The number of claimants in York has fallen by 51.3 percent in the last year. There are now 941 claimants in York, a fall of 107 from last month and of 1,931 from April 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.7 percent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.6 percent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.9 percent.

The figures also showed that the number of young people claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 60.8 percent in the last year. In April 2014 the total number of claimants aged 18-24 stood at 370 and has reduced by 225 in the past twelve months to 145.

Figures have also been released today by the Department for Work and Pensions showing that the number of residents claiming benefits has also fallen. The statistics show the number of claimants in York as of November 2014 is 9,840, a fall of 160 since August 2014.

The claimant count represents 7.3 per cent of the working population in York, which is lower compared to both the regional average (13.9 per cent) and the national average (12.5 per cent).

York unemployment falls by 14% in March

There were 1048 people claiming job seekers allowance in York in March.

This was down by 168 compared to February. 

The York job seeker rate fell to just 0.8%

The UK figure was 2% and the regional figure 2.7%.

The unemployed figure contained 692 men and 358 women.

National employment rate at a new record high

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New figures show that the rate of employment is at a new record high of 73.4 per cent.

In the last three months, the number of jobs created increased by 248,000.

During the quarter youth unemployment fell by 21,000 and 151,000 on the year.

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Employment levels have hit new records today, with almost three quarter of working aged people now in work.

“Youth unemployment has continued to fall over the year and our successful apprenticeship programme, which the Lib Dems have prioritised in government, will help that improve yet further.

“With wages now rising continuously faster than inflation, living standards are rising too.

“The role of the Liberal Democrats in government has been crucial to promoting economic stability and a strong recovery.  And the work I have led to deal with abuses in zero hour contracts and strengthening the national minimum wage, will help ensure the recovery is also fair.”

Creative Apprenticeships and Internships “get a boost”

In National Apprenticeship Week, City of York Council is calling on businesses to apply for funding to create Apprenticeship and Internships across the city.

Businesses in the creative and cultural sector still have the opportunity to benefit from the funding and recruitment service offered by City of York Council and could receive up to £3500 to fund an apprentice and £2500 to fund an intern.

Following a £185,000 loss on the Grand Departy last year, the Council is now offering apprenticeships in "event management"

Following a £185,000 loss on the Grand Departy last year, the Council is now offering apprenticeships in “event management”

In October 2014 City of York Council announced that it received funding of £90,750 to help businesses create opportunities for young people in the creative and cultural sector and there is still time for businesses to apply.

The funding, from Arts Council England and administered by Creative & Cultural Skills, will be used to help create 40 new job opportunities for young people aged 16-24, who are keen to get their first step on the career ladder and support the growth of creative and cultural organisations in the city. Funding will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis and all jobs must start by 31 March 2016.

Roles that could be created could include opportunities in; Event Management, Arts Administration, Technical Theatre, Archives and Library, Marketing and Stage Management, as well as functions such as administration, finance and catering.

Current organisations who have signed up to the scheme include: York Theatre Royal, Jorvik Viking Centre, Explore York Libraries and Archives and other small independent theatre groups, galleries and arts organisations. For more information on the programme contact Becky Solomon, Business Engagement Assistant on becky.solomon@york.gov.uk or call 01904 554341.

Increase in visitor numbers in York City Centre

“Freedom of information” response reveals 24% more walked down Parliament Street in 2014 than in the previous year.

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The number of visitors to the York City centre is now comparable with pre recession levels.

The area seems to have recovered from the reduction seen during the summer and autumn of 2013 when the Lendal bridge closure resulted in adverse publicity for the City across a wide part of the UK and indeed Europe.

The recovery seems to have extended into 2015 with 24% more pedestrian movements logged in January 2015 compared to 2014, with 10% more recorded during February

A complete day by day footfall monitor for cameras in Parliament Street, Coney Street, Church Street, Micklegate and Stonegate can be downloaded by clicking here. The latter 4 camera sites have been operating for less than a year, making comparisons difficult

Some caution should be used when looking at the footfall numbers.

The cameras may have been relocated in the past while special events and market stall locations, can “channel” greater or lesser numbers of people into range of the cameras.

The data is not of course a measure of how much people are spending in the City centre.

Apprentice recruitment event to be held in York

Employers from across the city will be showcasing high quality Apprenticeship vacancies at City of York Council’s third Apprenticeship Recruitment Event.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, which seeks to promote Apprenticeships to both young people and businesses, City of York Council will host an event to promote the wide range of Apprenticeship vacancies across the city.

The event, held on Thursday 12 March between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at West Offices, will see young people aged 16-24 and their parents have the chance to meet with recruiting employers and existing apprenticesas well as find out about alternative routes to Level 3 qualifications and university.

A range of employers and training providers will be promoting over 200 Apprenticeship vacancies covering business and finance, construction, digital marketing, engineering, I.T, health, childcare and more. Employers at the event include City of York Council, the NHS, Nestlé, PureNet, the Armed Services, Portakabin, Volkswagen, Hyder, Network Rail, York Medical Group and many more.

Connexions advisors will be also be available at the event to offer support with next level options, including Apprenticeships, plus 1:1 CV and Job Application sessions.

For more information on the event click

Liberal Democrats in government are proud to have delivered more than two million apprenticeships in this Parliament.

Parliamentary candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon, Layla Moran visited apprentices and employers to hear about how apprenticeships are helping young people and businesses in Kidlington.

Watch the video below to hear from Adam Marsh of ACE Training and Paige McConville, the two millionth apprentice.

Apprentice video

 

Latest York employment figures

The latest unemployment figures have been published. They show the number claiming  job seekers allowance in York remains stable at 0.9% (1212 workers).

The number is slightly up compared to the December figure of 1,169, but this can be attributed to seasonal factors.

As it has been for the last 15 years, the York rate is below both the regional (2.8%) and national (2.1%) averages.

The latest employment figures (to September 2014) confirm that York has higher levels of employment than most other parts of the region.

Nationally the figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of unemployment is now below 6 per cent and stands at 5.7 per cent.

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There are now 30.9m people in work.

The level of people in work is at a record of high of 73.2 per cent and average earnings including bonuses increased by 2.1 per cent in the quarter, compared with the previous year.  

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“These record figures show that the number of people in work in Britain today is at an all-time high. This is an extraordinary achievement which the Liberal Democrats in government have helped to deliver. It shows we were right to resist Tory plans to cut workers’ basic rights in order to get firms hiring. Those calls were unjustified and would have been greatly damaging. 

“We have also cut long term unemployment by a quarter over the past year and those claiming unemployment benefits have fallen to their lowest levels since the financial crisis, creating a chance for everyone to get on in life.

“Many workers continue to see their weekly pay packet increase faster than inflation – meaning a real terms pay rise for millions of working families. We must now focus on seeing productivity rise, which means investing in long term skills to create a stronger economy through our industrial strategy.”

 

Two million apprenticeships milestone passed. York event announced

 Liberal Democrats in government are proud to have delivered more than two million apprenticeships in this Parliament.

Watch the video below to hear from Adam Marsh of ACE Training and Paige McConville, the two millionth apprentice.

Meanwhile the York Council is reminding businesses that there is still time to apply to exhibit at the third York Apprenticeship Recruitment Event on Thursday 12 March.

The city’s first two recruitment events in 2014 were successful, attracting over 300 young people and parents looking for information on Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship vacancies across the city. Last year’s events helped many employers such as Nestlé, Haxby Group Pharmacy, Burn & Co Solicitors, BHP Insurance and the NHS meet with aspiring young people who could fill their positions.

The event, which takes place at West Offices between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, will be held during National Apprenticeship Week and looks to highlight both the business benefits of hiring apprentices and the individual benefits of pursuing an Apprenticeship job with training.

The third York Apprenticeship Recruitment Event will look to match talented young people to apprentice vacancies across the city, with a focus on A level and Diploma students looking for an alternative career progression route to University.

A number of businesses have already signed up for the March event but there is still space to exhibit for free for businesses across the city to promote Apprenticeship vacancies. For more information or to book a space, contact Melody Hardcastle, the event organiser on 01904 553013 or email york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk.

Businesses who want to grow by hiring an apprentice and don’t know where to start, can contact the Leeds City Region funded and Council-led York Apprenticeship Brokerage Service on 07943 593449 or email york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk for more information.

Statistics show number of York jobseekers has fallen by over 50 per cent in the last year

Jobless number slightly down as York claimant count falls for the tenth consecutive month.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics have shown that the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance has fallen by 54 per cent in the last year.

The statistics show there to be 1,619 claimants in York, a fall of 63 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 1.9 per cent. Today’s figures mean there are 958 less claimants than in December 2013.

The ONS figures also showed youth unemployment levels decrease by 49.6 per cent since December 2013, falling from 465 claimants in December 2013 to 235 in December 2014, a reduction of 230 in the past year.

The latest news comes of the back of the Centre for Cities annual report which showed York to be the fourth best performing city in the country with regards to the Jobseekers Allowance claimant count. The report also highlighted York as being the third best performing city with regards to the youth claimant count.