Despite a rise in the number of claimants for Jobseeker’s Allowance, the outlook for Manchester’s job market is relatively bright, following recent statistics which show that despite a rise of nearly 1% in claimants between May and August, this figure is still down by 8% on the same period, last year.
This rise in benefit applicants has, it is thought, been principally down to this year’s crop of school and university leavers, which now means that just under 5% of the region’s population of working age is claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The difference in the rise of claimants and the lowering of unemployment is also thought to be due to a number of students and the over 65s finding work.
Figures released by Jobcentre Plus also show that vacancies in Manchester have risen by a third – excellent news for active job seekers. The most active regions of recruitment were identified as Rochdale and Oldham, although there are fears that many employers are still put off from taking on more workers, as a result of complicated legislation and responsibility associated with HR.
With public sector job cuts expected to hit most areas of the UK, this business and employment growth is particularly important news for the region and gives hope to many of those who have been unemployed for a considerable period of time. It may well be that the private sector will become the necessary saviour of the hundreds which are likely to be made redundant, although this is bound to significantly increase the competition for jobs in Manchester.
Tags: Business, jobs, Jobseeker's Allowance, Manchester, Oldham, private sector, public sector, Recruitment, Rochdale, Unemployment