Commenting on the recent labour market statistics, North East Chamber of Commerce Policy and Research Manager, Mark Stephenson said:
“Yet again the North East jobs figures provide much to be positive about, albeit with the caveat that the pace of improvement seems to have eased. In our most recent Quarterly Economic Survey figures showed an easing of employer confidence with particular relation to hiring intentions. Taken together with anecdotal feedback it appears the uncertainty of a general election is impacting on investment whether in people or equipment.
“Nevertheless the North East yet again breaks the record for numbers in employment while unemployment is at a seven year low. The claimant count figure is also at a seven year low.
“The national jobs figures have continued to make significant progress after something of a lull in recent months. This begs the question of whether the prospect of a general election is having the same impact in all areas of the country and therefore whether business confidence is as entrenched as it must be in all regions in order to for growth to be sustainable.”
| NORTH EAST | Total | Rate | Change on quarter | Change on year |
| Employment | 1,185,000 | 69.8% (last month 70.02%) | +6,000
(+0.1%) |
+15,000
(+0.7%) |
| Unemployment | 100,000 | 7.7% (7.8%) | -11,000
(-0.8%) |
-20,000
(-1.5%) |
| Claimant Count | 47,800 | 4% (4%) | -3,000
(0%) |
| UK | Total | Rate | Change on quarter | Change on year |
| Employment | 29,872,000 | 73.4%(73.3%) | +204,000
(+0.5%) |
+482,000
(+1%) |
| Unemployment | 1,838,000 | 5.6% (5.7%) | -76,000
(-0.3%) |
-416,000
(-1.3%) |
| Claimant Count | 772,400 | 2.2%
(-2.4%) |
Note: unemployment and employment figures are for three months to February 2015. Claimant count figures are for March 2015.