Unemployment down in the North East

The claimant count in Northumberland last month dropped by more than 500 year on year, as unemployment in the North East fell by 6,000 in the last quarter.
The latest employment figures were released today.The latest employment figures were released today.
The latest employment figures were released today.

Figures published today show that 104,000 people were unemployed in the North East for the period from September to November 2015, a drop of 6,000 on the previous quarter, as well as year on year.

The claimant count - those receiving benefits principally due to unemployment - was 47,700 in December, the same as the previous quarter, but a 4,300 drop year on year. In Northumberland, the claimant count was 4,280 last month, a reduction of 565 compared to December 2014.

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The North East's employment rate for September to November was 1,202,000, up 38,000 on the previous quarter and the largest quarterly growth in employment rate of any UK region. It also represents a rise of 23,000 year on year.

Jacqui Alderson, of Jobcentre Plus, said that it was 'good to see the North East reflect the rest of the country with a high employment rate', adding: "It's been a really good start to the year."

She explained that Jobcentre Plus had been concentrating on the hospitality industry recently and, looking ahead, are going to be ramping up work with the likes of holiday parks. Alnwick Castle and Garden and the caravan parks at Berwick and Haggerston Castle are all starting to look for seasonal employees, while job fairs are taking place in Bedlington and Newcastle in February.