Rising numbers in the long-term unemployed as claimants decrease

The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits for more than a year has risen to 5,785, up from 5,570 last month, as people compete for every job vacancy.

But while long-term unemployment is increasing, numbers on the dole are starting to fall.

Last month, Bradford’s claimant count topped 20,000 but now has fallen to 19,762 – meaning six per cent of everyone able to work is looking for a job, compared to 4.7 per cent across Yorkshire and Humber and 3.8 per cent nationally.

Youth unemployment is also falling. The Office of National Statistics show the number of 18 to 24-year-olds on the dole fell by 115 to 5,925.

Mike Cartwright, of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “The figures are very good news and it means people are finding work somewhere, and that has got to be good for the local economy and the district.

“Our surveys and discussions with businesses are showing that recruitment is still fairly flat and stagnant, so I hope these people that are now working found jobs in the district rather than outside the district. I would be interested to know where these jobs were and we may be able to find out in due course where these jobs are being created.

“Regardless of that, this is great news for all those directly concerned.”

Nationally, the number claiming jobseekers’ allowance fell 1.57 million in September.

Unemployment fell by 50,000 to 2.53 million in the three months to August.

Employment reached a record high of almost 30 million, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.9 per cent.

Minister for Employment Mark Hoban said: “It’s a real landmark to see more people in work than ever before. Despite the tough economic times, the private sector continues to create jobs and our welfare reforms are encouraging people to return to work.

“The big fall in youth unemployment is particularly welcome, but we know this remains a challenge which is why we have the £1 billion Youth Contract offering nearly 500,000 work experience places, apprenticeships and wage incentives to help young people get a job.”

Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said the fall was a “welcome chink of light in a very bleak economic outlook”.

“There are now red flashing lights warning that Britain is becoming a very divided country,” he said.

“Long-term unemployment has risen yet again. The number of young people out of work and claiming benefits for more than a year went up yet again, and three-quarters of Britain has higher unemployment than at the election.”

According to the Office of National Statistics, there are 2,949 jobs being advertised across the district.

Case Study: Aaron Tyne, 24

Despite the rise in long-term youth unemployment in Bradford there are some success stories thanks to a local company’s efforts to tackle the issue.

Aaron Tyne, 24, from Undercliffe, struggled to find work for five months after completing his university degree in engineering last year.

After working with Aspire-i, which offers job hunters free advice and tips on finding work, Aaron actually ended up working for the company.

He said: “After finishing my course in Southampton I really struggled to find any work. I found by studying engineering it’s quite a niche market which restricted the jobs I could apply for.

“When I was unemployed my confidence was really low but now I am an adult support worker at Aspire-i and it has given me my confidence back.”

Aspire-i works to support young people and adults through its Aspire2work and National Careers Service programmes, and is supporting Bradford Council in their bid to tackle youth unemployment.

For more information or to contact Aspire-i visit their website aspire-i.com or call them (01274) 829485.

‘Job-hunters should not give up’

A Bradford teenager could be rubbing shoulders with former US President Bill Clinton at a summit being held to discuss youth unemployment.

Barclays Bank apprentice Asim Hussain, 18, has headed to Pittsburgh to attend the One Young World Summit which starts today to discuss youth unemployment and other social issues facing teenagers.

Asim, of Barkerend, is on an apprenticeship programme with Barclays at its mortgage call centre in Leeds.

He has joined two apprentices from London at the four-day event which sees young people from 196 countries sharing their experiences.

As well as Mr Clinton, other high-profile speakers include Joss Stone and Bob Geldof.

Asim, who gave up his A-levels after one year and spent eight months looking for work, said he would be urging fellow job-hunters to never lose hope.

He said: “I will be saying that I am from BD3 which is a deprived area with a lot of young people applying for jobs. And I would say do not give up hope and do not go down the wrong road into drugs and crime.”

Young people aged 16-24 who are interested in joining Barclays as an apprentice can register their interest at apprenticeships.org or call 03332 409719.