'Encouraging' fall in Moray year-on-year benefits claims for March
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
YEAR on year benefits claims in Moray have fallen again, newly released figures have revealed.
Statistics from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the claimant count for all age groups fell by 315 to 1425 in March compared to the same month last year, a decrease of 18 per cent.
Among the 18-24 age group the drop was 11 per cent, from 280 to 250, and in the 50-plus range claims fell by nearly a quarter – 24 per cent – to 370, a fall of 120.
The claims include those seeking work and those receiving in-work benefits.
Jane Munro, Forres-based DWP Employer and Partnership Manager, said: “Increasing the labour force to help businesses fill their vacancies is a priority for jobcentres across the country.
"To support this we’re linking up with employers, holding regular jobs fairs and pre-employment training. Locally we’ve been working with Tivoli, Moray Council and Johnston's of Elgin.
“Our work coaches provide every jobseeker with individual support, to help build confidence and develop new skills. We are encouraging people, whether they are single parents, young, 50-plus or have a health condition to connect with their jobcentre to re-join the work force, or progress in their career.
"Jobseekers can also check out the thousands of vacancies on offer, by searching the DWP Find a Job website.”
Mrs Munro added that the next DWP-run Volunteer Marketplace event was due to be held in Forres Town Hall on Wednesday, April 26 from 10am to 12 noon.
To keep up with similar events follow Moray Pathways Facebook page.
Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP described the national claimant count picture as "encouraging".
He continued: “Helping more people into work will deliver on our priority to halve inflation and grow the economy, while tackling labour shortages.
"[These] figures are encouraging, and I remain focused on supporting those on the lowest incomes to progress in work and build a steady and sustainable future.
“To do this we are increasing claimant time with work coaches to break down barriers for people out of work. But we also recognise the most vulnerable need support as prices climb, which is why we have increased the National Living Wage, extended the Energy Price Guarantee and uprated benefits by 10.1 per cent.”
Responding to the latest figures the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, commented: "It is welcome news that unemployment has fallen to a new record low and Scotland's labour market remains resilient in face of significant economic challenges.
"The UK government is working to stabilise our economy and last month the Chancellor set out a Budget which continues the cost of living support and will deliver sustainable, long-term growth, helping us halve inflation and reduce our national debt. The UK government also has an ambitious levelling up agenda in Scotland and is investing more than £2.2 billion to level up communities across the country including the City and Regional Growth Deals."
