12 people chasing every job

JOBSEEKERS in Oldham are less likely to find employment than in most other areas.

More than 12 people are chasing each vacancy — the 25th-highest ratio across the country.

Nationally, the number of unemployed people for every vacancy stands at 5.6, down from 5.8 last month. Oldham’s rate ranks it second-worst in the North-West behind Tameside with a 13.1 ratio.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “If the Government expanded the jobs market and started house-building programmes, we would not see these levels as so many jobs would be created.”