Member Article

North East full-time employment figures contrast national report

North East unemployment figures correlate with the national announcement today that more people are getting back into work.

Regional unemployment stands as 134, 000, demonstrating a fall from the last quarter but an increase of 4,000 jobless over the last year

Reports suggest that while employment seems to be improving, this may not mean that people are in full-time or permanent work. Figures may also mask cases where people have been made redundant but not started claiming jobseeker’s allowance.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) have welcomed these estimates that show a positive view of employment in the North East.

Head of Member Relations at NECC, Jonathan Walker, said: ““The unemployment figures are heading in the right direction.

“A drop of 14,000 in the quarter is significant and must be welcomed, but the number of people actually finding work seems to have reached a, hopefully temporary, plateau.

“NECC’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows our members are still creating jobs and both manufacturing and the service sector experiencing periods of growth.

“With the QES demonstrating that the first half of this year has seen the largest increase in business positivity since 2008, it would be good to see this reflected in a significant increase in employment levels.”

Amidst this positivity, falls in full-time positions in the North East have reached 18,000, with 16, 000 fewer men in work than there were a year ago, and 2,000 fewer women.

Northern TUC acknowledged the problems today, and highlighted that a poor economy means that more people are “stuck” in part-time work.

Neil Foster, Policy and Campaigns Officer for Northern TUC said: “This confirms our experience on the ground that a struggling economy is seeing significant numbers of people trapped in part-time jobs and zero-hour contracts despite needing full-time employment.

“Part-time work might be taking people off the Government’s job seeker lists but it is barely enough to provide sufficient household income to keep heads above water.

“The Chancellor’s economic path has reduced confidence among many employers. Unless the economy grows sharply then we expect many firms will soon be shedding existing jobs rather than increasing employment and working hours.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .