Number of claimants in Northumberland drops

The number of people in Northumberland claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit has dropped, new figures reveal.
Employment in the North East is at a record high.Employment in the North East is at a record high.
Employment in the North East is at a record high.

The data, released today by the Office for National Statistics, shows that across the county, the amount of claimants aged 18 to 24 has fallen by 18 per cent compared to this time last year. There is a three per cent year-on-year drop across all age groups in Northumberland.

In the Berwick constituency, the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming has fallen by 25 per cent, while there has been a 16 per cent drop in the Wansbeck constituency.

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Across all age groups, the number of claimants in the Berwick constituency is down by three per cent, while Wansbeck has seen a drop of five per cent.

It comes as the latest figures reveal that the employment rate in the North East is at a record high of 70.9 per cent, with more than 1.2million people in work.

A total of 36,000 more people are in work across the region compared to this time last year.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: “There’s great news in the North East where the employment rate is at a record high of 70.9 per cent with more than 1.2million people in work.

“Clearly, good progress has been made, and I’m encouraged to take forward the agenda to create an even more resilient labour market.”