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Unemployment total drops again in York (From York Press)
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Unemployment total drops again in York
8:27am Thursday 19th April 2012 in Jobs News
By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter
THE jobless rate has fallen in York as the city continues to buck national and regional economic trends.
Latest unemployment statistics show the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the City of York Council area dropped from 3,682 in February to 3,615 last month, or 2.6 per cent of those eligible.
That was the same percentage as in March last year, but across the Yorkshire region the percentage rose from 4.4 per cent in March last year to 4.9 per cent last month, and nationwide the figure increased from 3.7 per cent in March 2011 to 4.1 per cent last month.
Council leader James Alexander said that York was once again showing its resilience in persistently difficult economic times, when compared with both the regional and national pictures.
“This is positive, but as I’ve said in the past, we must take advantage of York’s unique offer and capitalise on it,” he said.
“Job creation, job retention and economic growth are what we are working with the private sector to achieve.”
Green Party councillor Dave Taylor said York needed to achieve the right balance. He said: “No one wants unemployment, but nor would York benefit from rampant growth requiring more people to move here, vast new housing estates and chronic traffic congestion.”
Tory group leader Coun Ian Gillies said York had the benefit of a diverse economy, which helped protect the city from economic extremes.
“We need to ensure that we do all we can to attract appropriate business to the city, and support the continued success of those already established here,” he said.
A report by think tank the Centre For Cities said York had one of the country’s ten lowest percentage increases in the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants.
In North Yorkshire, the number of people claiming the allowance fell from 10,856 in February to 10,502 last month, or 2.8 per cent of eligible claimants, and there was a similar fall in East Riding of Yorkshire from 7,607 to 7,393 or 3.5 per cent. In Selby, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell from 1,733 to 1,694, or 3.2 per cent, while in Ryedale it rose from 761 to 763.
Comments(14)
highhat
says...
8:53am Thu 19 Apr 12
More fancy soundbites from JA.
Omitting of course to mention that his policies have all but decimated the building industry in York.
So no jobs
No chance of retaining those jobs which no longer exist and certainly not working with the private sector to acheive this.
My understanding is that you had an agreement with the private sector hammered out amicably and you renaged on that agreement.
James Alexander you are a complete fraud.
WayneCarr
says...
9:23am Thu 19 Apr 12
Hardly remarkable this figure - 67 less people claiming Jobseekers Allowance which is an actual drop of 1.82%. It is now the tourist season so the drop maybe due to seasonal part time low paid work. Either that or a number of people have dropped out of these figures considering that this Allowance is only payable for six months!
I feel things are not as good as implied.
Pete the Brickie
says...
9:55am Thu 19 Apr 12
Council leader James Alexander said "Job creation, job retention and economic growth are what we are working with the private sector to achieve.”
Well done James Alexander and COYC for sorting out the unemployment problem in York and finding the additional time to take some credit for it. This feat is even more extraordinary given the fact that despite a spate of road accidents, injuries, two dead horses and a Press campaign council “officers” and NYP have not had time to deal with several dozen un chipped ponies being used as living, mobile roadblocks around York by the local caravan dwelling community.
To be fair to James, his council has managed to “retain” Bill Wooley's role at a bargain 101k per year basic wage and is busy “creating” work for council staff and the private sector with abandon with schemes like "free" wifi and common sense courses for taxi drivers. I also predict his staff will be creating further employment for “private sector” bailiffs and “public sector” court staff at the end of the month when it’s time to collect the Christmas Grotto rent.
Digeorge
says...
10:14am Thu 19 Apr 12
As for the figures, just a fudge as the underlying trend is upwards as you can only claim Job Seekers Allowance contributory based for six months. If you have a partner that is working you can not claim anything so people that I know who have a partner aren't claiming anything.
Did you look in The Yorkshire Evening Press this week and last and see exactly how many jobs there were? Perhaps you should take a look - maximum was about six!
powerwatt
says...
12:42pm Thu 19 Apr 12
Digeorge wrote:That is complete and utter rubbish. In the engineering sector there have been several roles gone to be advertised nationally as locally there were not people of any capability comping forward. These are non professional roles.
Agree with highhat on that one - no jobs haven't been for at least 2 years in my specialities and what jobs I have been for have been 160 applicants per job and have been 'ring-fenced' to those at risk - in other words, just a process, tick box exercise.
As for the figures, just a fudge as the underlying trend is upwards as you can only claim Job Seekers Allowance contributory based for six months. If you have a partner that is working you can not claim anything so people that I know who have a partner aren't claiming anything.
Did you look in The Yorkshire Evening Press this week and last and see exactly how many jobs there were? Perhaps you should take a look - maximum was about six!
Several apprenticeships (as a fully paid trade have gone to former retired staff and friends of those who were looking, as the applicants were not suitable at all).
Maybe the problem is people are only looking for jobs in the Yorkshire Evening Press? No one could be that stupid though. In the York Evening Press there are 161 within 10 miles of York, 120 of those with a salary above £25k.
A friend has a bar with 3 members of staff wanted, he has had very few applications.
highhat
says...
1:29pm Thu 19 Apr 12
I know nothing of the engineering industry but I know an awful lot about the building industry and my letter addresses the problems created by the affordable housing policy.
A policy which has decimated the housing industry in York creating unemployment among Joiners plumbers all the wet trades bricks and plaster.
James Alexander is glossing over his mistakes.
He actually came to an agreement with representatives of the building industry in York and he then renaged on it.
He is not to be trusted, he is a fraud.
Digeorge
says...
1:32pm Thu 19 Apr 12
Not everybody has the skills for 'engineering sector' and wouldn't even be considered for it as an alternative employment. That would be a complete waste of both the employer's time and mine!
Those jobs that are advertised even in the secretarial field, you have to have the right skill fit - take, for example, I have done a law degree and yet am not considered experienced enough to get a 'conveyancing secretary' despite doing land as part of my core subjects. Many years ago, I would have also been able to cross transfer skills from a medical secretary into a personal injury secretary. That is not the case now.
To put it bluntly, would they consider me for an engineering position - I doubt it!!! Come on get into reality.
Secondly, apprenticeships - now I am not under the age of 24 so that rules me out even for Higher apprenticeships - I have a degree (that rules that one out) and a lot of 18-24 year olds who have one!
Finally, if you do apply for jobs that are of a lower paid than usual - too experienced, over-qualified. Yes, had the lot there unfortunately.
I am not stupid enough to just look at the paper - go on Reed, go on innumerable number of job sites, have innumerable number of interviews, applications.
What is worse is that when you go for an interview and there are 160 applicants for the job (this is not unusual) some employers don't even have the decency to get back to you to take the time to 'thank you for coming to see us. However, on this occasion you didn't get the job'.
Not surprised friend with bar had 3 members of staff - some of them will probably be doing 'permitted work' under 16 hours a week and getting benefits.
Digeorge
says...
1:34pm Thu 19 Apr 12
And yes, would have taken an apprenticeship 20 years ago had it been offered to me or a job that would actually get me back into work as somebody who has disabilities and needs to juggle both hospital appointments and work, I would welcome the opportunity. There are no jobs.
YorkToff
says...
2:09pm Thu 19 Apr 12
Win, win. No benefit payments, low wages, increased profit for the likes of my business empire.
Then we could extend it to get the scroungers to build roads and railways for nothing but their bed and bread with a bit of gin thrown in.
Wheres my butler this mental exertion that our splendid politicians do all the time on behalf of humanity has made me feel rather faint.
mickrick
says...
5:34pm Thu 19 Apr 12
Even AndyD
says...
9:42pm Thu 19 Apr 12
mickrick wrote:Knew we could agree on something! :-)
Your not even funny.
Not my political cup of tea, but have to say the best summary there is by Mr Gillies. Spot on. What the Dave Taylor is talking about though is beyond me, sounds like he has got himself in a muddle trying to shoe horn a Green message into somewhere it didn't belong. We have to be wary of too much growth? Since when and why precisely would 'rampant' success bring problems? Not that I see anything 'rampant' in the statistics quoted.
mickrick
says...
10:19pm Thu 19 Apr 12
We agree on more than you think. "Too much growth" what world is he in. Success is the way forward for every aspect of the economy and then the knock on effects...jobs etc...well said.
Magicman!
says...
1:52am Fri 20 Apr 12
smudge1 says...
8:38am Thu 19 Apr 12