Employment soars in Derbyshire and the East Midlands

More than 100,000 more people are in jobs in the region compared to this time last year, with 62,000 more finding work in the last quarter.

In Derbyshire, 9613 people claimed job seekers allowance in May, 4290 fewer than last year, with a 483 person reduction from April 2014 to May 2014 alone.

Speaking of the figures, released last week by the Office for National Statistics, George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce described the figures as a ‘testament to the steady growth of the region’s economy’.

He said: “The Chamber’s most recent Quarterly Economic Survey, which was released this week, found that 27 per cent of local firms increased the size of their workforce in the three months to June and with a further 35 per cent planning to recruit over the summer months, we’d expect the overall unemployment and claimant count figures to fall further in the months ahead.

“However, jobs in the public sector are still under threat as local authority budgets are squeezed.

“Derbyshire County Council could cut 2000 more jobs over the next three years and the private sector will once again come under pressure to absorb this fallout, so it is vital that the support is there to help those affected make the transition into new roles.”

The minister for Employment Esther McVey, said: “With the East Midlands seeing the largest quarterly rise in the employment rate of any UK region, the resilience of the country during the downturn is being rewarded.

“We know there is more to do, and the best way to do so is to go on delivering a plan that’s creating growth and jobs.”