DERBYSHIRE: Chamber positive employment figures indicate countywide recovery

Derbyshire chamber of commerce claims another positive set of employment figures released this month provides further evidence that the economic recovery in Derbyshire is gaining momentum.
George Cowcher Chamber of commerceGeorge Cowcher Chamber of commerce
George Cowcher Chamber of commerce

The number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants fell by 341 in Derby and 480 in Derbyshire in September. It means there are now 5,782 fewer claimants in Derby and Derbyshire than there were this time last year.

Across the East Midlands, the total number of unemployed people increased from 176,000 in the three months to May to 177,000 in the three months to August. However, this was offset by an increase in the total number of people in employment, which went up from 2.121m to 2.126m in the same period.

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The region’s economically active population also increased from 2.297m to 2.303m.

Nationally, unemployment fell by 18,000 and employment rose by 155,000.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Once again, we’ve seen big falls in the number of JSA claimants in both Derby and Derbyshire which is encouraging and underlines what businesses are reporting generally – that more are having to recruit additional staff to meet an increase in sales, orders and demand.

“Firms also traditionally begin their seasonal recruitment campaigns for the run-up to the festive period at this time of year which usually has a positive impact on the figures.

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“The key message we can take from this is that things are progressing well. Firms are being buoyed by renewed confidence and more are now in a position to make longer-term decisions on investments and staffing levels which they had perhaps put off because of the underlying uncertainties in the economy.

“That’s not to say we can rest on our laurels. There is still a long way to go before the recovery is fully secured. Government must build on the progress the economy has made recently by improving access to finance for viable businesses and providing more support for exporters.”