Figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics show that the national employment rate was 74.1% from October to December 2015. This is the highest level of employment since records began in 1971. As well as this, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain increased 2.0% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.
The total number of claimants in Wyre Forest during January 2016 was 753. This represents a rate of 1.7% of the economically active population aged 16-64, 0.8% lower than the 2.5% national UK claimant rate. There were 155 claimants aged 18-24 in Wyre Forest during January 2016, 70 lower than January the previous year.
Mark Garnier believes that there is plenty to be excited about in the coming year: ‘‘The slight employment dip after the Christmas period was to be expected, as a number of people will have completed seasonal contracts. However, there is certainly cause for optimism. The new £12million Specsavers’ centre in Kidderminster is now underway, which will create hundreds of new jobs. As well as this, West Midlands Safari Park have announced that they will be recruiting 200 new members of staff in preparation for the summer season. This is welcome news for the entire constituency and it is indicative of the positive long-term direction that we are heading in.’’