Paul Carbert, policy adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “The latest labour market statistics released this morning show a slight improvement on last month, and a positive long-term trend with unemployment down over the past year.
Our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 2017 showed a slight decline in business confidence on the measures of future workforce growth and training investment, particularly in the manufacturing sector. With figures released last week also showing a decline in apprenticeship starts in the North East over the past year, Government must listen to businesses in our region and address their concerns about the apprenticeship reforms and barriers to staff recruitment and training. We need a working North East where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the economy.
We have called on the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to ensure that schools and colleges have sufficient resources to deliver a comprehensive careers information, advice, and guidance programme, which is vital to raising aspirations and making sure that young people leave education with the skills required by business.”