Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber
The number of people in work in the East Midlands increased in the three months to the end of November compared to the previous quarter, according to figure released this morning.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed employment in the region went up by 31,838 from 2,265,862 to 2,297,701 compared to the three months to the end of August.
The figure was 29,066 up on a year earlier and 12,787 higher than the same period in 2016, resulting in an employment rate of 60% – marginally up on the 59.3% recorded for the previous quarter.
Because of the way the ONS calculates its figures, the unemployment rate has also increased, by 9,149 from 101,803 in the three months to the end of August to 110,983 in the latest period.
The number of people unemployed and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire also increased overall in December according to the figures released today.
Only Nottingham showed a reduction in benefits claimants, dropping five compared with November’s figures, 505 compared with a year earlier and 105 compared with two years previously.
Across the three counties, the number of claimants increased to 38,375 from 37,270 in November, 31,595 in December 2017 and 28,230 in December 2016.
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber*, said: “Overall, the figures are better than might be expected given the doubt and uncertainty businesses are facing at the moment and the number of reports in the latter half of last year of firms in difficulties and shutting down.
“Yet again, it’s a case of the regional economy remaining robust in spite of the pressures inflicted upon it from things well outside its control.”
