Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that the total number of unemployed claimants in Wyre Forest, during July 2016, was 706. This represents a rate of 1.6% of the economically active population.
As reported last month, new analysis has shown that Wyre Forest continues to have one of the fastest growing employment rates across the country, as well as continuing to break local claimant records. Wyre Forest’s claimant rate has decreased by 69% since May 2010, and has seen the 8th most significant fall in claimant rate in the UK since January 2014. This means that, since Mark was elected, Wyre Forest has seen one of the largest improvements in employment rates across the UK.
Mark Garnier MP commented: “We must remember that these low levels of unemployment are very encouraging, especially when the national rate is at 4.9%, the lowest since 2005. There has been some revision to the way in which the Department for Work and Pensions calculates claimant rates. They now include Universal Credit claimants who are required to seek work, meaning that this month’s statistics are very marginally higher than last month’s. However the fact that the change has only translated into seven more people now being marked out of work ,or fell out of work, is very encouraging. Business has been growing and moving into Wyre Forest and employing people at a rate that is testament to our rapid progress. However, we are continuing our efforts to help those still looking for work, particularly by boosting skills.”