Jobless toll takes another dip

OLDHAM’S unemployment figures have fallen for the fifth successive month — albeit by only 10.

On the debit side, the number of women out of work in the borough is up by 38, the first rise since February which was attributable to people coming out of temporary and seasonal contracts.

There are 7,477 people out of work in Oldham, the numbers being made to look positive by the number of men out of work falling by 48.

Year on year the total number of people in work in Oldham now compared with July, 2012, is up by 459, which reflects the national trend.

Nationally, the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance has fallen to its lowest level for more than four years and employment has reached a record high, but long–term and youth unemployment have increased.

The claimant count fell by 29,200 in July — the ninth consecutive monthly drop — to 1.4 million, the lowest since February 2009 and total unemployment, including those not eligible for benefit, fell by 4,000 in the quarter to June to 2.5 million.