New figures show little change in unemployment
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MORAY'S unemployment rate has remained more or less static compared to the same time last year, new figures have revealed.
Statistics released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the total out of work in the region in November 2019 had risen by just five to 1467 compared to the same month in 2018.
Among the 18-24 age group, the number of jobless had dropped by three percent to a total of 271.
DWP employer and partnership manager Jane Munro, who is based in Forres, said: "The figures are pretty much where we would expect them to be at this time of year.
"As we head through January the seasonal employers start laying off staff until the summer season comes round, it's a case of waiting for certain sectors to pick up.
"There are plenty of vacancies out there and the DWP are, as usual, running a number of courses."
Nationally, over the same time frame, the overall numbers claiming benefit was 107,811, a fall of 842. A slight rise in the 18-24 category was noted, up 802 to 18, 434.
Since last year, figures show the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits modelled under Universal Credit conditionality. Statistics show those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (including Credits Only), or Universal Credit Searching for Work (excluding those awaiting a Work Capability Assessment), or those ‘additionals’ who would have been searching for work under Universal Credit had it rolled out.
