Unemployment has fallen in South Tyneside

The figures released by the Office for National Statistics show the number of people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance is continuing to drop across the borough.

In March last year there were 4,385 claiming the benefit, which fell to 4,150 last month. In April 2015 the figure was 4,020.

The number of men out of work fell from 2,975 in March to 2,805 last month and the amount of women dropped from 1,415 to 1,345.

Employment in the North East stands at 1,196,000 or 70.4%, 74.2% nationally - a fall of 12,000 over the quarter, but an increase of 20,000 over the year. The number of people out of work, including those not claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, stands at 103,000 or 7.9% - a fall of 4,000 over the quarter, but an increase of 5,000 over the year.

The claimant count was at 47,700 3.9% in the North East, compared national rate of 2.1%.

The number of people classed as economically inactive fell by 18,000 from Jan-Mar 2015 to Jan-Mar 2016.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb, said: “These are another record-breaking set of figures, with more people in work than ever before and the unemployment rate is at the lowest in a decade at 5.1%.

“There’s good news in the North East where the number of people in work has remained near a record high with employment at 1.2 million.

“More people in work means that more families across the UK are benefiting from the security of a regular wage and the fulfilment that employment brings.” North East Chamber of Commerce policy adviser Paul Carbert said: “It is positive news the North East has seen a fall in the economic inactivity rate over the past year, particularly among young people.

“The youth employment rate (16-24 year olds) has increased by 5.6% over the past year. A further good step in the right direction for the region’s future workforce needs is the fact there are 16,000 more 16-24 year olds in employment in the North East than a year ago.

“It is disappointing to see a slight fall in employment numbers over the quarter, but the long-term picture is more positive. The employment rate is essentially unchanged from the record high reached during the last quarter (October-December 2015).

“We need to build on this and ensure that schools and colleges in the region keep on preparing young people for the local labour market. NECC actively supports this agenda as part of our ambition to create a Working North East.”

The chamber will hold a Linking Business with Education event on Friday, July 1, at Cardinal Hume Catholic School in Gateshead to bring together leaders from education and the wider business community.