MP disturbed by rise in jobless figures

UNEMPLOYMENT rose in Oldham last month by 179 — the first increase since February.

Claimant numbers traditionally rise in August due to the impact of school leavers — but the claimant figures are lower than this time last year.

Local statistics show there are 4,859 men out of work, a rise of 70 on last month, and 1,800 women, up 109.

The total number of jobless people is 6,659 — although still significantly lower, by almost 1,000, the last time the figures rose month-on-month.

Nationally, unemployment fell by less than expected in the quarter, down 8,000 to 2.47 million.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “It is worrying that it is the first rise since February but this is very, very early stages of the cuts.

“I fear the increase could be higher in areas like Oldham as the TUC conference said this week that the poorest 10 per cent of people will be hit 10 times harder than the rich.

There are many in Oldham that earn below the national average and I worry it is a very, very sombre outlook.”

Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “There are still positive signs for businesses to recruit.”

The figures reveal there are 1,420 jobs being advertised on Job Centre Plus boards across Oldham.