Unemployment in Worcester has fallen for the ninth month, as the number of people claiming out of work benefits has fallen below 2700 for the first time since the pandemic began. The city also remains below the national average for claimants, at just 4.1% compared with 5.7% UK-wide.
Young people (those aged 16 to 24 years) have been particularly affected by the pandemic, with the employment rate decreasing and the unemployment and economic inactivity rates increasing by more than for those aged 25 years and over. Over the last quarter, however, there was an increase in the employment rate and a decrease in the unemployment rate to below pre-coronavirus rates. Worcester leads the way on youth unemployment, with 460 18-24 year olds out of work, the lowest it has been since March 2020.
Unemployment in Worcester peaked as a result of the pandemic at 3840 and the most recent statistics demonstrate a continued trend in the right direction.
National estimates of payrolled employees indicate that in November 2021 there were 29.4 million employees in the UK: up 257,000 on the revised October 2021 level and up 424,000 on the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) February 2020 level.
Worcester MP, Robin Walker said:
“While the whole country is heading in the right direction, I am delighted to see Worcester leading the way and beating the national averages to ensure more people are in work now than before the pandemic began.
"I will continue to monitor employment in the constituency and welcome support, both from the government and from private sector initiatives, to increase the number of jobs available to Worcester residents."