Oldham defies trend on jobs

UNEMPLOYMENT in Oldham remained stable last month — the figure dropping marginally compared with a national increase.

There are 6,300 people out of work in the borough, down three on the October figures, at a time when traditionally many local employers — especially in home delivery — take on temporary staff for Christmas.

There are 4,579 men on the jobless register, a rise of five while the number of jobless women dropped by eight to 1,221.

Nationally, the Government was given some grim pre–Christmas news on jobs when unemployment increased by 35,000 and the number of young people out of work reached near–record levels.

The jobless total climbed to 2.5 million in the quarter to October, a rate of 7.9 per cent, the highest since the start of the year.

Dr Brian Sloan, head of business and economic policy at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "Employment in Greater Manchester appears to be bucking the national trend. Nationally the number of unemployed and job-seeker’s allowance claimants is up and the number of people in employment has gone down, but in Greater Manchester we are not seeing this.

"The number of job seeker’s allowance claimants has fallen slightly — as we anticipated, given the responses to our Quarterly Economic Survey.

“Manufacturing is making a positive contribution to jobs growth in the region, but this is somewhat subdued. Smaller businesses in the service sector have been creating jobs, though larger firms have been reducing headcount so this is the main reason the decrease in the claimant count has been so small.

“And of course the difficulties for the region’s construction sector roll on, with a number of firms ceasing to trade in recent months.

"We believe there is more positive news to come in the New Year, though this will follow an initial increase in claimants during January as seasonal jobs come to an end."