Member Article

North East employment up 11,000 for the quarter

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have shown a considerable rise in North East employment between May and July.

The report revealed that employment in the region stands at 1,209,000 or 70.9% - an increase of 11,000 over the quarter and 50,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 74.5% nationally.

Meanwhile, North East unemployment stands at 98,000 or 7.5% - an increase of 3,000 over the quarter, but a fall of 11,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.9% nationally.

Moreover, the claimant count stands at 50,700 or 4.2% in the region. The national claimant count rate is 2.2%.

Paul Carbert, policy adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “The figures released today are generally positive.

“Our employment rate in the North East has increased by more than any other region in the past year, as was also the case last month.

“Unemployment is slightly up over the quarter but the longer-term trend is still positive. One cause for concern however is our lack of progress on closing the gap with the national unemployment rate.”