Unemployment level down again in York

City of York Council has welcomed figures that have shown the number of York residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit (out of employment) has again fallen.

The statistics, released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show there are now 1,025 claimants in York, a fall of 210 (17 per cent) from November 2014 and of 27 residents claiming jobseekers allowance and Universal Credit in the last month.

The figures also showed the number of young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit has also fallen by 63.27 per cent in the last year.

The Jobseekers Allowance claimant count for York represents 0.5 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.5 per cent.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economic Development of City of York Council said:

“I am pleased that the long-term figures show a reduction in the number of claimants in the past 12 months. As an Executive we remain committed to working with partners across the city to support residents looking for work. With the recent positive news in relation to York’s economy with announcements such as the York Central proposals, the opening of the Hiscox offices and the announcement regarding the BID will hopefully see this positive trend continue and offer more opportunities for York residents.”

Unemployment level drops again in York

Figures released today that show the number of York residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 47.6 per cent in the last 12 months.

The statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show there are now 722 claimants in York, a fall of 41 from last month and of 653 from September 2014.

Today’s figures showed the number of jobseekers in York has fallen for the seventh consecutive month and also highlighted a 67.2 per cent fall in the Youth unemployment count since September 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.5 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.2 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.6 per cent.

The news comes following last month’s York Jobs Fair which attracted over 800 residents taking the chance to gain advice and speak to a number of businesses about vacancies in the city.

There are a large number of job vacancies in York at present (click) including a number at the Council (click)

Teenagers job and training fair at Knavesmire on 20th October.

City of York Council’s annual Steps to Success event is back at York Racecourse on Tuesday 20 October.

Held in the Knavesmire Stand from 3.30pm until 8.00pm, the event will provide information about the range of education and training opportunities available (including apprenticeships and other work based training).

The event looks to support young people in the city as they consider their options for Key Stage 4 and Post-16 education, training or employment, particularly as all current year 11 pupils now have to remain in training or education until the age of 18.

Young people will be able to access information from five different information zones at the session; Key Stage 4, Post-16, Progression to Higher Education, Career Pathways and Support Services, as well as the opportunity to hear about the experiences of current learners.

Attendees will also be able to view a series of presentations of around 15 minutes offering advice on Options for Key Stage 4 and Beyond, Options for Post 16 Education and Training, apprenticeships, Progression to Higher Education and Future Job Opportunities will run throughout the event.

Councillor Jenny Brooks, Executive member for Education, Children and Young People said: “This popular annual event provides young people and their parents and carers with information and advice about their options for the future. As a council we are committed to supporting young people across the city and helping them meet their aspirations. Through work with a range of schools, employers, training providers and universities, Steps to Success looks to offer the opportunity for young people to consider their next steps as well as the longer term progression routes and higher education options that are available to young people.”

City of York Council has worked in partnership with the University of York and York St John University to stage the event, as part of its commitment to widening participation in Higher Education.

For any additional information please contact Beverley Wills, 14-19 Support Adviser, City of York Council on 01904 553008 or beverley.wills@york.gov.uk .

Unemployment level edges up in York – 0.7% seeking work

Figures released today by the Office of National Statistics confirm that employment levels in York remain fairly stable.

976 people were seeking work and claiming Job Seekers Allowance in July.
This represented 0.7% of the population.
Of the job seekers, 665 were men and 321 women.
The figures remain below the regional (2.4%) and national (1.9%) averages
In June 2015, 791 (0.6%) people were recorded as seeking work in the City

York near top of apprenticeship table

They also set the city in the top 10% of local authorities for keeping young people in education or training after Year 11.

Official figures from the Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published earlier this month, show that over the past nine months, the increase in the percentage of York residents starting apprenticeships is in England’s top 5% when compared to all other local authorities.

Government data published on 2 July 2015showed that in the nine months up to April 2015, 1,340 York residents started an apprenticeship compared to 1,300 in the previous twelve months. In York there is a well-established network of training providers delivering high quality training for apprentices. A key lead co-ordinating role is played by the York Apprenticeship Hub based at the council.

For school leavers, the figures show that of all York’s Year 11 students leaving school in summer 2014, 97.4% were continuing their education and training. This puts York in the top 10% of local authorities in England for retaining young people in education or training.

The detail shows that nearly 90% of all post-16 school leavers in 2014 continued with their education at a college or a school sixth form, which puts York in the top 10% of local authorities in England. A further 6.4% of school leavers took up employment with integrated training and/or apprenticeships while only 2% were not in education, employment and training (NEET).
(more…)

York eleventh in foreign visitor league table

According to new figures published by ONS, York attracted fewer foreign visitors than its neighbour Leeds last year. The City was also behind both Oxford and Cambridge

The visitors included those on business trips and well as holidaymakers.

Neither the York Council nor Visit York have as yet commented on the new figures.

There was an increase in the number of visits to the UK by overseas residents for the fourth consecutive year in 2014, and the highest number of visits since the IPS began in 1961. It also had the highest recorded spending.

In 2014 overseas residents made 34.4 million visits to the UK, 5.2% higher than in 2013.

Earnings from visits to the UK reached a record level of spending in the UK of £21.8 billion, they increased by £0.6 billion (2.8%) compared to 2013.

The number of nights spent in the UK rose to 264.6 million, an increase of 7.8% compared to the previous year.

Visits from North America and Europe increased in 2014 by 3.3% and 6.6% respectively. Spending from North America and Europe also grew by 11.6% and 4.2%. However, visits and spending by visitors from “Other Countries” showed a decline of 0.2% and 2.9% respectively.

Holidays remain the main reason for visits to the UK, accounting for 13.6 million visits, a rise of 7.2% compared with 2013. Business visits and visits to friends and family both showed a growth of 4.8%.

A record 17.4 million overnight visits to London were made by overseas residents in 2014, an increase of 0.6 million (3.5%) from 2013, and £11.8 billion was spent on these visits.

Overnight visits to the rest of England grew by 5.1% to 14.2 million. Visits to Scotland and Wales also continued to rise in 2014, with Scottish visits up 11.5% and Welsh up 7.3%.

UK residents made 4.0% more visits abroad and spent £1.0 billion (3.0%) more during these visits in 2014 than 2013. The length of visit also increased, up 1.9% to 616.5 million nights.

Jobs fair at Acomb Library today

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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.”

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.

Cllr Stephen Fenton, Cllr Ashley Mason & Cllr Paula Widdowson

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Liberal Democrats