Mr Goodwill has welcomed figures released today that show the number of people in Scarborough and Whitby claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance while not in employment fell by 1,318 which is a 60 per cent drop since 2010.
Today’s figures show that Britain’s economic plan continues to create jobs and increase pay for hardworking people in Scarborough and Whitby and across the country. With employment at its highest level ever, over 350,000 more people are in work across the UK than a year ago and unemployment is at its lowest level since 2008. Business confidence in the economy is shown by nearly three quarters of a million vacancies, and jobs are being created in Scarborough and Whitby.
The figures also show that average pay growth is now 3 per cent while prices are falling – meaning hardworking people across Scarborough and Whitby have more money in their pockets; and more young people are in work with youth unemployment among those not in full-time study falling to its lowest level in a decade – 6.2 per cent.
People are getting off benefits and into work across North Yorkshire, with 101,000 more people in work since the last Labour Government. There are over 2 million more people across the UK now in work than at the end of thirteen years of a Labour Government.
Mr Goodwill said:
‘With employment at record levels and unemployment at a seven year low, the number of people in Scarborough and Whitby relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance while out of work has fallen by 60% -that’s 1,318 fewer people relying on benefits. This is great news for people in Scarborough and Whitby who want to work hard and get on. With nearly three-quarters of a million vacancies advertised across the country and good jobs being created in North Yorkshire, these figures show we are moving towards a society with opportunity and security at its heart.
Today’s figures show that Britain’s economic plan continues to create jobs and increase pay with the highest rate of employment in our history, and wages rising strongly in real terms. However, with recent data showing our trading partners’ growth is slowing, we must not be complacent. All this progress would be put at risk if we don’t carry on with our plan to build a resilient economy, delivering the economic security of a country that lives within its means.’