The government’s long term economic plan continues to bear fruit with new figures revealing that 400,000 more people are in work compared to this time last year, and 2 million more than in 2010. The UK is now home to the largest rise in the employment rate in the G7.
In East Hampshire this positive trend has been matched – since May 2014 the claimant count, which shows the number of people receiving Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), has fallen by 150. Just 0.7% of East Hampshire’s economically active population is now unemployed.
Youth employment has also been a similar story of success. 85% of 16 – 24s are in full time study or work and youth unemployment has fallen below pre-recession levels. In East Hampshire, youth unemployment has fallen to under 1% with just 60 young people claiming JSA.
Commitment to achieving growth and full employment continues to be a central focus of the new Conservative Government. New measures such as tougher Day One Work Requirements for young people and increased childcare support for parents are part of a package of recent announcements aimed at facilitating this.
Damian said:
“These new job figures are a testament to the difficult but necessary decisions the Government has made to rebalance the economy and facilitate growth and jobs. It is especially encouraging to see employment in East Hampshire go from strength to strength and we now have one of the lowest claimant counts in the UK.”
“There is still work to be done but I am confident that the Government’s plan, focused on rewarding hard work and creating growth and jobs, will provide the context and support for the economy to continue to thrive.”