Logistics warehouse in Bristol that is ready to supply skilled workers
The number of people claiming benefits and looking for work fell again in Greater Bristol, showing the will to work of the local area, which could soon be providing workers for our logistics warehouse in Bristol, Central Park.
Figures released this morning show the number fell 1.1 percentage points to 2.9 per cent in Bristol city, down 0.5 points to 1.4 per cent in South Gloucestershire and down 0.8 to 1.7 in North Somerset. Those figures measure the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance. The unemployment figure, a wider measure, for the South West fell to 4.9 per cent for the first three months of 2014– down 1.2 per cent on the same point last year. This wider figure does not break down to a more local level.
The figures will be seen as more good news for the local economy and suggest the recovery is now well under way.
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, said: “The South West labour market is continuing to strengthen, with unemployment falling and employment rising. The figures continue to demonstrate the flexibility and resilience of the jobs market, which is a source of strength for the economy. Although there are still some concerns, with youth unemployment (19 per cent) particularly high, the recovery is clearly moving ahead. To consolidate the upturn, we need to see rises in productivity as well as tougher action on youth unemployment. While the improvement does not justify immediate action on interest rates, we expect the MPC to provide greater clarity in this area.”
Emma Summers, managing director of Bristol-based Juice Recruitment, said: “Combine the latest job figures with news that business confidence has reached a new high and it’s easy to share the renewed sense of optimism among employers. At Juice, we have seen a record number of permanent placements registered since the beginning of the year and demand is ever increasing. We have noticed permanent hires accelerating significantly in light of business confidence.”
Emma said there was a high demand for skilled professionals with many employers finding fewer candidates were on the market.
The Office for National Statistics, which releases the figures, now also looks at the claimant count in each local enterprise partnership. The West of the England LEP – which covers the former Avon area – has a 2.1 per cent claimant rate, down 0.8 on the previous month.
Nationally the unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent in the January to March quarter, with 2.21 million out of work, 133,000 fewer than the previous quarter and 309,000 fewer than the same period the previous year.
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore said: “I’m sure that everyone will welcome that unemployment is down. As the local MP, I’ve been organizing jobs fairs and apprenticeship fairs to help people looking for work- the next Kingswood Jobs Fair will be at Hanham Community Centre on Friday May 30 and I would urge any local people looking for work to come along. Equally if you are a local employer who is looking to recruit, please let me know.”
Source: Bristol Post