Statistics released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that unemployment in the UK has fallen by 35,000 in the last Quarter (Dec 2011 - Feb 2012), and now stands at 2.65 million, with the rate reflecting this fall by dropping 0.1% to 8.3%. The figure for the East Midlands shows a slight drop to 189,000 whilst the rate remains steady at 8.2%.
The claimant count for the UK on the other hand shows an increase of 3,600, with the total number of UK residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) standing at 1.61 million. Regionally, the claimant count has risen by 300, to 111,100.
Closer to home, the number of people claiming JSA in Nottingham has remained the same (14,677) whilst the claimant count for Nottinghamshire has shown a decrease of 209 people (18,158). Overall the total amount of people claiming JSA in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has increased by 4398 since this time last year. The number of 18 - 24 year olds claiming JSA in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire now stands at 10,630 - this has decreased marginally since last month's figures.
Meanwhile, Jobcentre Plus (JCP) have been notified of just over 6,500 vacancies across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire since February, slightly down from the previous month. The top three occupations in which vacancies have been created are call centre agents/operators, Heavy goods vehicle drivers and Care assistants and home carers.
Speaking on behalf of the Nottinghamshire: City & County Employment and Skills Board David Kirkham said;
"The labour market picture for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has remained largely stable over the last month. We continue, however, to experience significantly high levels of unemployment for 18 - 24 year olds. We also have more than 4,300 people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire out of work since this time last year."
