Job figures stable across Shropshire

FIGURES from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) suggest that unemployment remains at a stable rate across Shropshire despite the impact of Covid-19.

The figures from the latest Universal Credit (UC) alternative claimant count suggest that while there has been a more than 100 per cent increase in claimants in the last year, these figures have reduced compared to March to May of this year.

Ben Vaughn, Shropshire employer manager for the Job Centre Plus, credits the newly launched Kickstart scheme with helping provide a boost to employment.

“Although both our local authority areas show rises in their UC claimant count of more than 100 per cent when compared with the same time last year, claim numbers for UC have reduced considerably from their peak from mid-March through May, and have now remained stable in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin for a number of months.

“We began working alongside Tesco to begin filling the first Kickstart vacancies last week, and we already know the scheme is going to see considerable job creation for us locally.

“Our local authorities, Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, our local college and training provider network, members of our local business boards and employer network have all come out in force to support and promote the scheme.

“Although we are under no illusions of the challenges that lie ahead going into the autumn and winter, we are, alongside our key partners, committed to supporting both our jobseekers and employers through these changing times.”