Jobs total still down – but there are signs of returning confidence

THE number of employees on payroll in Warrington in February was 101,305 – down 0.4 per cent on the same month last year.

But there are signs of returning confidence among employers, with organisations reporting an increase of 144 on payroll over the past month.
Overall, employment in Warrington remains lower than a year ago, with employers reporting payroll headcount down 359 (-0.4 per cent) year-on-year.
The figures are based on analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics payroll data by the employment and pay app WageSight.
Compared with other local authorities in the North West, Warrington ranks 26th out of 39, placing it among the weakest performers for employment change.
The trend in Warrington reflects a mixed employment picture across the North West, with some areas reporting improvements while others continue to see pressure on payroll numbers.
Nationally, employment levels have shown a mixed picture over the past year, creating a challenging backdrop.

Paul Hebden, WageSight director, said: “Although employment in Warrington remains lower than a year ago, recent month-on-month figures suggest some stabilisation in recent months. Whether this marks a genuine turning point or a temporary pause in job losses will become clearer over the next few months.”
It remains too early to say whether recent changes mark the start of a sustained shift, or a temporary fluctuation.