WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has praised businesses for their resilience, ingenuity and determination to bounce back following a reduction in the number of local people claiming benefits and record numbers of vacancies being advertised.
Data released this week show there were 2,640 people claiming universal support in Warrington South constituency in July 2021, down 45 from June 2021.
The figure accounts for 3.8% of the population aged 16-64, the equivalent UK claimant rate was 5.4%. Nationwide, more than 700,000 jobs have been added to the economy since the start of the year, when the country was still in lockdown.
Local businesses have been quick to become involved with Government schemes to help secure employment for people looking for work, signing up for the KickStart scheme and offering apprenticeships to young people beginning their careers.
Following a visit to Warrington Job Centre Mr Carter said: “When I speak to business owners around the area they’re positive and many are talking about the recruitment opportunities that exist, logistic businesses are hiring, hospitality is hiring, Warrington’s economy is bouncing back, we’ve more to do but we’re on the right track.
“Last year we increased the number of work coaches based here in the job centre specifically to support young people into finding work. They’re in position and trained to be able to guide anyone looking for work on how to prepare themselves for interview, what type of roles might be suitable and then once their clients are in work they’re available on the phone to support them in the early stages of their new job.
“The team here at the job centre are doing some fantastic work, last week we had around 20 Warrington based employers at the job centre, interviewing candidates and recruiting local people into paid roles.
“One of the best conversations I’ve had during my visit is with Holly from Penketh who came in to tell her advisor that she’s been offered a job after going for interview and she starts next week. The most effective way we can assist someone who’s struggling on benefits is to help them find a secure regular well-paid job.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak also commented on the employment figures saying ” The figures show that our Plan for Jobs is working – protecting people’s jobs and getting people back into work. I know there could still be bumps in the road, but the data is promising – there are now more employees on payrolls than at any point since March 2020, and the number of people on furlough is the lowest since the scheme launched.”
* In Warrington North there were 2,975 actual claimants in July 2021, which was 4.9% of the population aged 16-64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 5.4%.
This was 35 lower than June 2021 but 1,185 higher than March 2020, before the first UK lockdown began. The majority of this increase happened in March-May 2020 at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
There were 545 claimants aged 18-24 in July 2021, 10 lower than June 2021 but 215 higher than March 2020. This was 7.8% of the population aged 18-24. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 7.2%.
