THE North-east labour market remains “very fragile” business leaders have said following a drop in the monthly unemployment figures.
The number of people out of work in the Tees Valley fell by 438 last month to 27,076, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Local rates are Darlington 3,394 (5.6%); Hartlepool 4,146 (7.4%); Middlesbrough 7,046 (8.1%); Redcar and Cleveland 5,499 (6.6%) and Stockton 6,973 (5.8%).
Across the North-east, unemployment fell by 1,000 to 120,000 - an unemployment rate of 9.5%.
Nationally unemployment also fell and there was a huge cut in the numbers claiming jobseeker’s allowance.
The so-called claimant count was 1.59 million in February after a fall of 32,300, the biggest monthly reduction since the end of 1997.
Total unemployment, including those not eligible for benefit, was down by 33,000 over the quarter to January to 2.45 million, the lowest for almost a year, and the biggest three-monthly fall for almost three years.
But Sarah Green, regional director of the Confederation of British Industry North East, pictured, said: “Although the fall in unemployment is welcome, the figures also show that the number of people actually in work continued to fall, which is a concern.
“The number or people in full-time employment dropped by 54,000 in the three months to January, while the number of part-time jobs was unchanged.
“Unlike previous months, an increase in part-time work did not help to offset falls in full-time employment.
“Clearly, the labour market is still very fragile. Growth is not yet sufficient to generate net new job creation.”