Peterborough Jobseeker's Allowance claimants drops 10 per cent in last month

The number of people in Peterborough claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has dropped by 10 per cent in the last month - the biggest fall in the East of England.
Jobs and employment news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, facebook.com/peterboroughtodayJobs and employment news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, facebook.com/peterboroughtoday
Jobs and employment news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, facebook.com/peterboroughtoday

A “buoyant” labour market is said to be behind the latest drop in people claiming the out-of-work benefit.

In December last year, there were 1,510 people claiming JSA in Peterborough, down from 1,680 the month before.

The figure was 2,240 in December 2014.

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For people aged 18-24, the total has gone down from 355 to 280 in the past month, and down from 460 in the past year.

Julia Nix, district manager for East Anglia at JobCentre Plus, said there are many vacancies still available.

She added: “We are just really pleased with how the labour market is still buoyant at this time of year.

“We are seeing a growth in full-time jobs.”

More people are now in work in the East of England than ever before with the employment rate at 77.7 per cent and 7,500 fewer people claiming unemployment benefit in the region than this time last year.

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Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “This is a record-breaking set of figures – and has got 2016 off to a fantastic start.

“There are now more people in work than ever before and wages are growing consistently – a credit to hardworking Brits and businesses alike.

“And in a further demonstration of the strength of the UK labour market today’s figures show a record three quarters of a million vacancies available.”