Unemployment Claimant Count Rises

Date published: 19 January 2012

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Greater Manchester has risen. Last month 81,974 people claimed the benefit compared with 81,732 the month before.
Dr Brian Sloan, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Greater Manchester claimant count was broadly flat in December, rising only slightly by 242 to stand at 81,974 or 4.7%.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey indicated that job creation had continued towards the end of the year, though this had weakened, but along with the usual seasonal increase in temporary employment before Christmas this had helped keep the increase in the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants down.

“Continuing government policy around the benefits system and a weakening economy are likely to causing an increase in JSA claimants in the months ahead, as our survey also indicated that job creation in the private sector is weakening.

“We needed to see more urgent government action on proposed infrastructure projects, credit easing and reducing the legislative burden on business to improve the domestic economy’s growth prospects, and with it the hope of job creation. Action is needed now, as several months down the line we still are not clear on plans for credit easing and infrastructure investment must refocus on the regions such as the North, where the potential for growth is greatest.”