Jobless increase bucks UK trend

7,603 out of work

THE number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in Oldham has risen, bucking the national trend.

Official monthly figures show there were 7,603 people claiming job seeker’s allowance (JSA) across Oldham in February, compared with 7,582 people in January.

Previously there had been four consecutive reductions in numbers.

A breakdown reveals 1,190 people across Oldham have been on the benefits for more than a year and 4,695 people have claimed for less than six months.

More than 4,000 of the claimants are between 25 and 49 years old, 2,600 are between 18 and 24, and a further 900 are over 50.

Nationally, the number of people claiming job seeker’s allowance fell by 32,300 to 1.59 million in February. Unemployment stood at 2.45 million for the three months to January, down 33,000 on the figure for the previous three months.

Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The fall in unemployment for the third month in a row is very welcome, but we should remain cautious. We’re not out of the woods yet and we are still determined to do more to support jobs and help the unemployed this year.

“The figures show the investment in jobs, education and training places is making a real difference. Half a million fewer people are out of work than anticipated at the time of last year’s budget — saving over £10 billion as a result.

“However, now is not the time to cut back on support for jobs. We know things will be difficult for some time, and unemployment in the 1980s and 1990s rose for years after the recessions finished.

“That is why we plan to increase help to get people back into jobs this year, not cut it back, so we can support the jobs of the future.”

Ministers predict some increases in unemployment in the run up to summer before further falls in the second half of the year.

The Office for National Statistics also revealed that there are 694 jobs being advertised in job centre in Oldham.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher is calling for Chancellor Alistair Darling to announce new fiscal stimulus policies in next week’s budget to help the economy and keep people in jobs.


Oldham is to get a share of cash to continue running advertising campaigns to make sure people threatened with losing their homes as a result of the recession get the free advice they need.