Jobless number continues to decline

Figures for Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in Rotherham  – which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough – show a drop of 1,939 on this time last year to 4,601.

For people aged 18-24, there are 1,060 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance — a fall of 665 or 39 per cent from last year.

Nationally, the number of people out of work between February and April fell by 43,000 to 1.81 million and the jobless rate is 5.5 per cent.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that the job situation in Rotherham was encouraging, adding: “Week after week it seems to get madder and madder and madder. I am not seeing any relaxation in anything anywhere. We are all running around at the moment trying to fulfil employers’ needs.”

Mr Coleman said that significant employment opportunities had arisen at Edexcel, Greencore, Parseq and Hungry Horse, amongst others, and new stores opening at Aldwarke and Parkgate should be taking on staff in the near future.

More information on local vacancies is available at Rotherham Jobcentre.

Mr Coleman said that Rotherham has shared the trend of Yorkshire and Humber having a higher employment rate for women than the capital.

He said: “The female employment rate is significantly higher here than in London.”

Mr Coleman said this could be partly explained by many firms offering flexible working patterns which appealed to some women.