Moray benefits claims on the up by almost 10 per cent, new figures reveal
Benefits claims have Moray jumped, new year-on-year figures for the month of October have shown.
The over-50 age group were the worst affected, with a 19 per cent hike of 85 to 350. The 18-24 category remained static at 220.
Overall, an increase of nine per cent was recorded, with a rise of 110 over the 2023 figure to 1305.
There was better news over in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency area, with a small fall of one per cent, the number claiming last month standing at 1380.
The number of 18-24s claiming benefits in October was 220 - down 25 or nine per cent - while there was a small uptick among the over-50s to the tune of five to 350, or one per cent.
Benefits figures include those claiming in-work benefits as well as those looking for work.
Across Scotland, the overall trend is upward. In total, there were 7595 more people claiming benefits year-on-year - 111,4000 or seven per cent - while among 18-24s the figures stood at 18,800, a hike of 535 (three per cent). There was a nine per cent increase in over-50s claims, climbing 2220 to 25, 735.
Jane Munro, Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres, said: “Now is a great time for jobseekers to give their career aspirations a new focus.
“One way is to apply for one of the hundreds of seasonal jobs being advertised locally for Christmas and new year.
“This can turn into a stepping stone to get back into the work routine, while developing new skills and sharpening existing ones. With the support of their work coach, jobseekers can get the help they need to take full advantage of opportunities available now.
“Unlocking the skills and abilities of people can improve employment prospects and jobseeking parents on Universal Credit, can now get extra financial help through increased childcare payments.
“Locally we are working hard with employers to fill their vacancies, such as Christies Elite, Eat Mair Fish, Parklands Care Homes and Moray Council while also hosting an event for customers over 50 years old in November.
“Perfect Patter Courses continue to be delivered across Moray supporting our customers to pave the way to conversational confidence, being able to confidently answer questions and participating in discussions without the fear of forgetting what to say, ultimately learning those hints and tips to present the best version of yourself at interview.
“If you would like to know about these courses, please speak to your work coach about Perfect Patter.
“Follow us @jcpinscotland on X for local vacancies and regular online jobs fairs.
“Jobseekers can search our DWP FindaJob website, to check out the thousands of jobs on offer or follow Moray Works on Facebook.”
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP said: “2.8 million people – a near record number - are locked out of work due to poor health.
“This is bad for people, bad for businesses and it’s holding our economy back.
“That’s why our Get Britain Working plan will bring forward the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, backed by an additional £240 million of investment.
“And while it’s encouraging to see real pay growth this month, more needs to be done to improve living standards too. So, from April next year over three million of the lowest paid workers will benefit from our increase to the National Living Wage, delivering a £1400 a year pay rise for a full-time worker.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, added: “Getting people into work is key to delivering economic growth and our Get Britain Working White Paper will tackle inactivity in the labour market head on through measures including an overhaul of our Jobcentres.
“We’re making work pay by increasing the National Living Wage in April.
“We’re also banning exploitative zero-hour contracts as part of the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation through our Employment Rights Bill to deliver better job security for those in work.”
