Covid impact hitting Moray jobless figures
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THE effects of the Covid-19 lockdown continues to bite in the jobless figures in Moray and beyond.
Figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in May a total of 6321 people in the region were claiming Universal Credit (UC) – which combines a number of previously separate benefits including Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit, among others – with 440,229 claimants across Scotland recorded. This compares to April, when the respective figures were 5313 and 373,526.
Across Scotland, the rise in the number of jobless continue to mirror the course of the lockdown. Latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment rose by 30,000 to 127,000 between February and April, the lockdown being imposed on March 23.
At present some 4.6 per cent of people over the age of 16 are unemployed – a rise from 3.5 per cent the previous quarter – with the UK figure overall being 3.9 per cent.
Minister for Employment Mims Davies said: “We are doing everything we can to protect our economy and will be bringing a full post-coronavirus recovery package before Parliament in the coming weeks, making sure there are options for young people.
“Before the pandemic, we had nearly halved youth unemployment, and supporting young people into work will be critical as we emerge from this emergency, rebuild and renew.
“Alongside our package of support for business, we’ve launched a targeted employment campaign and telephone job surgery for those on benefits.”
After an intense initial period when DWP staff were focussed primarily on dealing with the flood of new UC applications as the economy shut down during the lockdown, some form of normality has returned, along with a greater focus on not only helping people find work but also employers fill there vacancies.
Forres-based Employer and Partnership manager Jane Munro said: "The Employer and Partnership Team at the Jobcentre is available to help local employers with any recruitment needs.
"Employers who would like to advertise local vacancies can get in touch by emailing jcpmoray@employerandpartnershipteam@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
"Moray Works facebook page is a great resource for jobseekers with lots of helpful information for jobsearch and recruitment practices.
"There are currently 32 vacancies available on Find A Job for Moray with the majority in food retail, care sector and NHS Grampian.
"Local vacancies are available also via twitter – @jcpinNorthScot.
There is also help, support and guidance online for UC applicants, jobseekers and employers.
Those on the lookout for a job can visit https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/ and https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/, while UC applicants can see how much they may be entitled to at https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
For employers there is https://employerhelp.dwp.gov.uk/
These new websites are to support jobseekers find work in new sectors and generally looking for work now. The Job Help website also has articles, tips and guides to help people who are able and willing to take up roles now in sectors which are expanding rapidly to keep the country working.
For information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus, see the new Employment and benefits support site.
For more about any aspect of Universal Credit, including how to make a claim, visit Understanding Universal Credit.
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