Member Article

York jobseekers decrease by 39%

City of York Council has welcomed news that the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen for the fifth consecutive month.

The ONS figures released earlier this week have shown that there are 1,516 claimants in York, a decrease of 61 from last month.

The figures also showed that the city has seen a reduction of 974 since July 2013, meaning that number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance has decreased by 39.1%.

The claimant count represents 1.1% of the working population (below pre recession levels which stood at 1.5%) and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 3.1%. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 2.4%.

Cllr James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council said: “I’m pleased council investment in the city’s economy and our partnership working with York’s private sector is beginning to pay off, as York continues to outperform the country and the region in tackling unemployment.

“However today’s figures mask the issue of in-work poverty exacerbated by cost of living increases which is why we must look at securing further investment into the city to secure further jobs and growth as well continuing our work on the Living Wage.

“Another issue we need to continue to tackle through partnership working is the number of residents who are working part time or on zero hours contracts.

“Many in employment in York are also on benefits due to low wages and it isn’t good enough. As York ap proaches full employment, we need to focus on the issue of wage levels and to do so we need more better paid jobs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .