Member Article

North East employment continues to soar

Employment levels in the North East have reached a record high with the number in work now standing at 1,180,000, a rise of 49,000 on a year ago, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. A total of 72.1% of people of working age are in employment, up 2.3% on the same period in 2006.

Data from the ONS showed quarter-on-quarter growth in employment was up by 20,000. Only Scotland had a higher quarterly rise in employment rates and only London had a higher year-on-year increase. The labour market picture was also positive for unemployment which was down 4,000 year-on-year and dropped by 5,000 quarter-on-quarter. The North East had the highest yearly drop in unemployment rates in the UK.

Mike Parker, spokesman for the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is time to put to bed once and for all any suggestion that the North East is not a prosperous region. Practically every round of statistics over the last year has shown what a phenomenal growth story is occurring. We should all be tremendously proud and celebrate the fact that industry is leading this resurgence.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .