Moray benefits claims for over-50s rise for second month in a row
There has been a big rise in the number of over-50s claiming benefits, new figures have revealed.
Year-on-year statistics for November from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in Moray show that claimants in the age group had risen by 16 per cent, up 50 to 355 compared to the name month in 2023.
A small uptick was recorded in the 18-24 category, with 220 - an increase of five or two per cent - claiming benefits.
Overall, claimants were up 10 per cent from 1235 to 1355.
The Scotland-wide trend is also up, the overall figure on the up by 4505 to 109,975 or four per cent. Among 18-24s there was a tiny increase - just one per cent to 140 - to 18,620 while the statistics for the over-50s saw a seven per cent rise to 25, 545 from 24,175
The claimant figures include those both in work and looking for a job.
Jane Munro, Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres, said: “It’s been a busy, positive year at our jobcentres across Moray with everyone working hard to help jobseekers and employers.
“We’ve built new partnerships with businesses, some recruiting in our office, and a great example of this is Global Highland and SNY Gardening. We’ve also held several online and in person jobs fairs, including the very popular specialist events for the 50 plus and young people.
“Looking to the new year we have vacancies in virtually every sector, whether that’s hospitality or health care. Going forward we’ll be looking to expand our services to open up helping more people into fulfilling employment. Importantly jobseeking parents on Universal Credit, can get extra financial help through increased childcare payments.
“Locally we are working hard with employers to fill their vacancies, such as Premier, Pickfords and National Trust for Scotland.
“Perfect Patter Courses will continue in the new year, 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.
“January sees a youth campaign supporting 18-24 year old customers to think differently about Jobsearch with lots of different events throughout the month from employer information sessions to CV sessions to courses aimed specifically at that age group, ending with a jobs fair in Moray Pathways Hub on January 29. If you are aged 18-24 and would like to know more about the campaign, please speak to your Work Coach.
“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: "[These] figures are a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done.
“To get Britain growing again, we need to get Britain working again – so people have good jobs which pay decent wages and offer the chance to progress.
“Through our Get Britain Working Plan we will do just that – transforming Jobcentres, making sure every young person is earning or learning and properly joining up work, health and skills support to drive up employment and drive down poverty in every corner of our country.
“And from April, someone working full time on the minimum wage will be £1400 better off, meaning more money in people’s pockets, delivering on the plan for change to improve living standards and make people better off.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, added: “Everyone deserves the security and opportunity of a well-paid job.
“Our plan to Get Britain Working will tackle inactivity, which is vital to unlocking economic growth. We’re giving our JobCentres the biggest overhaul in a generation and we’re making work pay by increasing the National Living Wage.
“We are delivering our Plan for Change with investment and reform to deliver growth, put more money in people’s pockets and to rebuild Britain.”
