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Moray unemployment rate climbs in first month of 2021


By Alan Beresford

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THE number of people in Moray claiming Universal Credit (UC) rose by more than 100 as 2021 dawned.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP. Picture: mimsdavies.org.uk
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP. Picture: mimsdavies.org.uk

Newly released figures indicate that 6992 people in the region were in receipt of the benefit in January, compared to 6878 the month before.

Moray's statistics match the national trend, with a rise from 479,042 to 483,537 over the same time period.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: “Today’s figures highlight the challenges people are still facing, but there are glimmers of hope with employment relatively stable, over 600,000 people moving onto payrolls and hours worked up.

“With the Prime Minister setting out the roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown and the vaccine rollout protecting millions of people, we’re looking ahead to our recovery – our Plan for Jobs is creating new opportunities, boosting skills, and delivering a package of support for people of all ages, getting Brits back into work as we push to build back better.”

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince added: ’Universal Credit continues to support millions of people during their time of need.

"It is a vital safety net that has stood up to the challenge of the pandemic, and with thousands of new work coaches we are helping claimants across the country get back on their feet with one-to-one tailored support.

“Universal Credit is one of the pillars of our support for families with lower incomes. Alongside it, our Covid Winter Grant Scheme is keeping vulnerable children warm and well-fed, and our Plan for Jobs is helping people back on their feet and into work, with nearly two million people being supported through innovative programmes such as Kickstart and the Job Entry Targeted Support scheme.”

The Job Help and Employer Help portals continue to be updated and carry lots of supportive information. These 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 Britain working. This website is continually updated with local content, so make sure to check this regularly.

Also, vacancies can be found on the Find a Job portal.

Local vacancies are available also via Twitter – @jcpinNorthScot.

There are currently 88 vacancies available on Find A Job for Moray offering roles in a variety of sectors.

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.

There are a number of options to find out more information on the schemes and level of people receiving help on furlough and the self-employed support.

For the Jobs Support Scheme, visit www.gov.uk/government/news/job-support-scheme-expanded-to-firms-required-to-close-due-to-covid-restrictions

More information about the (Furlough) CJRS can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support or www.gov.uk/hmrc to find out more about the self-employed support scheme SEISS


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