Oldham Lib Dems welcome 30 Million in Work Figure

Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council have welcomed the latest news that employment levels in the UK have reached a new 30 million record high, whilst unemployment continues its downward trend in Oldham and across the UK.

The Office of National Statistics has just released the latest figures on the levels of employment. Over the last year, the number of people in work has increased by 378,000 to a record breaking 29.95 million.

Commenting, Cllr Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, said: “This is another encouraging sign that both the national and the local economy is recovering.”

“Britain now has a whopping 30 million people in work. Liberal Democrats are determined as a party to build a stronger economy and a fairer society that allows everyone to get on in life – and having access to a job is a key component in full participation as an active citizen. “

“In government, the Liberal Democrats have so far helped private businesses create more than a million private sector jobs – and we continue to campaign nationally for a million more.”

Meanwhile, figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions show that in Oldham in October 5,739 people were unemployed and claiming job seekers allowance, a fall of 2,317 since the start of 2013.

Cllr Diane Williamson, Shadow Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Employment added: “Oldham’s figures reflect the national picture with unemployment figures in our borough continuing to fall. However there is no room for complacency – every one of these 5,739 claimants still represents an individual without an opportunity to earn a wage. So locally Oldham’s Liberal Democrats continue to play our part in helping to Get Oldham Working.”

“Recently we have championed initiatives to ensure that Council jobs go to local people and to establish a guaranteed interview for former armed services personnel who apply for Council jobs after returning to civilian life. We look forward to doing more – and these figures provide the encouragement to continue do so.”

JSA Claimant Count – Oldham
Date Number %age
January 2013 8,056 5.7%
March 2013 8,187 5.8%
April 2013 7,985 5.6%
May 2013 7,900 5.6%
June 2013 7,487 5.3%
July 2013 7,477 5.3%
Aug 2013 7,078 5%
Sept 2013 6,244 4.4%
Oct 2013 5,739 4.1%