Unemployment down across region
THE number of people out of work in the Tees Valley fell by more than 350 last month.
Figures dropped by 356 to 14,441.
Local rates are: Darlington 1,755 (2.9%), Hartlepool 2,264 (4.2%), Middlesbrough 3,933 (4.6%), Redcar and Cleveland 2,955 (3.6%) and Stockton 3,534 (3%).
Across the North-east figures dropped by 5,000 to 76,000.
Sarah Green, Confederation of British Industry regional director, North-east, said the figures were evidence of “the growing demand for labour caused by the growth of business in the North-east”.
But she added: “With such low levels of unemployment regionally and nationally, it is now critical that we invest in upskilling both the people looking for work and those in employment, otherwise economic growth will be held back.
“Many employers, in particular those requiring engineering skills, are already suffering from significant skills shortages.”
Nationally unemployment fell by 5,000 between June and August to 1.65 million.The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 12,800 in September to a two-year low of 835,800.
