Commenting on the North East labour statistics covering August – October 2016, Paul Carbert, Policy Advisor at the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), said:
“It seems that the unfortunate news on job losses in Teesside earlier this year are reflected in these figures, despite the positive signs of increased recruitment we have picked up from our members across the region.
“Yet again, the labour figures are generally flat, with some cause for concern in the stubbornly high unemployment rate.”
“The North East is the only region in the country not to see a decrease in unemployment over the quarter, and the unemployment rate remains the highest of any region.
“During September 2015 the number of workforce jobs in the North East decreased by 26,000, the largest fall in the country, however the majority of this appears to be due to a decline in self-employment, rather than employee jobs.
“Public sector employment is down 5,000 over the year, although fortunately this is matched by an increase in private sector employment of 5,000.
NECC continues to sit on the task group set up in the wake of the SSI closure. There are packages of help and support available and assistance for employers who employ former SSI workers or their partners. There is also a general support line for companies to call to make any enquiries about funding or business support – 01642 939386.
- Employment in the North East stands at 1,179,000 or 68.5% – an increase of 16,000 over the quarter and 1,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 73.9% nationally.
- North East unemployment stands at 109,000 or 8.7% – a rise of 5,000 over the quarter but a fall of 5,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 5.2% nationally.
- The claimant count stands at 47,800 or 3.9% in the North East. The national claimant count rate is 2.3%
