Derby and Derbyshire unemployment figures continues to drop

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Better than expected unemployment figures* have provided further evidence that the local economy is starting to recover, according to the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce.

New figures out today show that the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in Derby in June was 7,060, compared to 7,345 in May.

In the rest of the county, the number of claimants went down by 802.   

However, the overall unemployment rate from March to May  remained broadly the same in Derbyshire, despite an overall fall of 34,000 nationally.

Commenting on the figures, George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said: “These latest figures and generally positive and echo the results of the Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey, which found that recruitment was up significantly in Derbyshire in the last three months, with firms also looking to recruit in the next quarter, indicating that local businesses are less susceptible to the recently-announced cuts in public spending.  

“We are still set to see the full effects of the austerity measures announced by government as part of its tough deficit reduction programme and these are bound to have an impact on local employment.

“With job losses in the public sector looking increasingly likely, there will be an increased pressure on businesses to create more jobs, but there is an over-riding concern that austerity measures in the pipeline may hold back growth.

“Therefore, it is crucial that the government takes effective steps to promote private sector growth and job creation. We need measures that will help create the best possible business climate, with particular focus placed on rebalancing the economy in favour of manufacturing and the private sector.”

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