Member Article

Figures reveal decrease in North East youth unemployment

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have sgown that more young people in the North East are finding work.

Compared to a year ago, 10,000 fewer 16-24 year olds in the region are unemployed, a fall of 18.3%. The youth unemployment rate stands at 22.5%, a fall of 2.3% over the year.

Overall, the report revealed that employment in the North East stands at 1,166,000 or 68.3% - an increase of 2,000 over the quarter and 1,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 73.7% nationally.

Meanwhile, North East unemployment stands at 109,000 or 8.6% - a rise of 6,000 over the quarter but a fall of 9,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 5.3% nationally.

Moreover, the claimant count stands at 47,300 or 3.9% in the North East. The national claimant count is 795,500 or 2.3%.

NECC Director of Policy, Ross Smith, said: “There has been no significant movement this quarter and although there has been a slight increase in employment, the North East has not yet started to close the gap with the rest of the country.

“With the ongoing impact of the SSI closure in Teesside it is likely this may take time. There are packages of help and support available to companies in the supply chain and grants available to employers who employ former SSI workers and we hope these can be accessed by as many of those affected as possible.

“A very positive sign is the decrease in youth unemployment. The North East has shown positive measures in improving the work-readiness of young people and we continue to urge business and education leaders to work together in order to reduce a potential skills gap.”

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