THE NUMBER of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Redditch is at its lowest since 2005.
Quarterly figures released by the Office for National Statistics show just 888 residents claimed the benefit in February, March and April – 525 fewer than the same period last year.
It means just 1.5 per cent of the borough’s population are out of work and receiving the financial support, dropping below the national average of 1.9 per cent and 2.4 per cent for the West Midlands.
Of those who claimed in Redditch in the last quarter, 547 were men and 314 were women. The highest number of people receiving JSA were aged 25 to 49, while 63 per cent of residents claimed for six months or less.
Mike Dzioba, recruitment team leader for the Department of Work and Pensions in Hereford and Worcester, said Redditch was following the national trend.
“In the last five years the number of 18 to 24 year olds in Redditch who are out of work has dropped by more than 64 per cent,” he said.
MP Karen Lumley said it was excellent news that once again fewer people were relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
“This is thanks to the hard work and the determination of local people, and the great work of our ever growing army of local businesses, but it is also down to the Conservatives’ strong leadership and clear economic plan.”
Bill Hartnett, leader of Redditch borough council, said although it was good news for the town he feared some residents may be on zero hour contracts or on low pay and temporary or seasonal jobs.
