Partner Article

Unemployment and employment both rise across North East

Unemployment and employment both increased across the North East between February and April, the latest ONS figures show.

Employment across the region rose by 15,000 on the previous quarter although the North East was also the only UK region to experience a rise in unemployment (131,000).

Employment in the North East stands at 69.5% - a rise of 24,000 over the quarter and 54,000 over the year. This is compared with a rate of 72.9% nationally.

Unemployment in the region stands at 9.8% - a rise of 6,000 over the quarter and 2,000 over the year. This is compared with a rate of 6.6% nationally.

The number if self-employed people in the North East rose 7.6% year-on-year.

NECC policy and research manager, Mark Stephenson, said: “It’s great to see North East employment estimates rising at the fastest rate in the UK for the second consecutive month. Hopefully we are starting to see a trend develop that will see our region make ground on other parts of the UK that experienced these rises earlier in the economic recovery.

“While the total number of unemployed has risen slightly on both the annual and quarterly measures, it is worth noting that the rate of unemployment within the North East has actually dropped – albeit marginally.

“The claimant count also continues its long-term decline in the North East, which coupled with a rise in employment of over 50,000 compared to 12 months ago is a hugely encouraging sign.

“The long term measures for employment and the claimant count are positive signs, albeit the total number of unemployed in the North East remains high – especially at the younger end of the labour market. The challenge isn’t abating and casts a shadow over the positive figures we see elsewhere.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .