Responding to this morning’s regional labour market statistics, North East England Chamber of Commerce Policy Adviser Paul Carbert said:
“This morning’s figures continue recent positive trends, with a modest increase in employment and a decrease in unemployment.
Employment in our region remains at a record high, and the North East has seen the largest increase in the employment rate over the past year of any region. Although the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, we have seen a welcome fall in the economic inactivity rate since March-May 2015.
We must now ensure that young people leaving the education system, and older workers returning to the labour market, are equipped with the skills required by our employers. We are also calling on the Government to take steps to reassure businesses in a period of political uncertainty”