2,100 fall in Rotherham jobless

THE number of people unemployed in the Rotherham area has continued to fall, according to the latest government figures.

Official statistics released on Wednesday (Mar 18) show that the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Rotherham — which includes Maltby, Dinnington and Mexborough — has dropped.

The number of people claiming the benefit in the area is 5,290, a fall of 2,131 or 29 per cent on this time last year.

For people aged 18 to 24 there are 1,360 people on Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 725 or 35 per cent from last year.

Nigel Coleman, of Jobcentre Plus, said that nationally there are 617,000 more people in work than there were a year ago.

Mr Coleman said that in the Rotherham area there were significant numbers of roles available in sectors such as construction and logistics where Class 1 lorry drivers are in short supply.

He added that the Construction Industry Training Board was also working with South Yorkshire local authorities to develop work opportunities on schemes such as housing projects.

Mr Coleman said that the hospitality sector was likely to pick up as the summer months approach.

He said: “We often get an influx of some work from the hospitality sector because South Yorkshire does attracts people to it.”

Mr Coleman said that a big employment opportunity was being offered by exam board Edexcel at the Hellaby Industrial Estate which is offering 1,400 temporary jobs processing exams, as well as 40 more administration and contact centre roles.

Jobs abroad can also be tracked down via EURES – found via the YouGov website – which highlights jobs beyond our borders, even as far afield as Australia.

Employment minister Esther McVey said: “This is a remarkable set of figures, which underlines this government’s success in backing businesses to create jobs, and supporting British people to seize those opportunities.

“Yorkshire and Humberside has seen the largest annual fall in unemployment with 69,000 fewer people unemployed than this time last year.

“More people are having their lives transformed by finding work and, through the security of a regular wage, the future is looking brighter not only for themselves but their families, too.”