REDDITCH has a higher percentage of people of working age in employment than anywhere else in Worcestershire.
Even though the borough has some 1,300 people on Universal Credit, with an employment rate of 83 per cent it’s classified by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as having full employment – that is more than 80 per cent.
These are the findings from the latest jobless figures released by the government.
Mike Dzioba from the DWP said leeway was given on the figures to allow for people moving from job to job or otherwise delayed in taking up a position.
“With a figure of around 80 per cent Redditch is above what you would consider as full employment,” he said.
He added that as the only area in Worcestershire on Universal Credit, giving exact figures on borough unemployment was difficult compared to the rest of the county, but the employment rate gave a more accurate picture.
Overall, across Worcestershire in the past year the benefit claimant rate has crept up, showing an increase of 375 in Redditch.
In neighbouring Bromsgrove, with an employment rate of 78 per cent, there was an increase of 130 to 770.
In Malvern Hill District, with an employment rate of 71.8 per cent, the rate crept up to 490, an increase of 60.
There were also increases in Worcester – up 115 to 1,105 with an employment rate of 78.1 per cent, and Wychavon, up 100 to 775 with an employment rate of 77.2 per cent.
The West Midlands employment rate average is 72.7 per cent.
Mr Dzioba added that local Job Centres were happy to work with employers and applicants to improve their chance of landing a job.
Nationally the unemployment rate has fallen to four per cent.
