THE latest jobless figures for Redditch show an increase of 285 people out of work compared to the same period last year.
Those out of work in the borough now stands at 1,220, which includes 245 people aged 18 to 24, an increase of 50 over last year, according to Jobcentre Plus.
However as Redditch is now a Universal Credit full service area comparison with last year’s figures is difficult.
This is because Universal Credit requires a broader span of claimants to look for work than under the old Jobseekers Allowance.
Despite this figures across the county, where Universal Credit has not been rolled out, also show a marked increased in unemployment.
In Bromsgrove it stands at 765, up 135 on last year, 1,150 in Worcester, up 140, in Wychavon District it is 810, up 130, and in Malvern District the figure is 550, up 120.
Overall the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Redditch has fallen by 48 per cent since 2010, when the figure was 2,369, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This has been welcomed by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean, who said it showed the Conservative Government’s plan to make Britain fit for the future is working.
“These aren’t just numbers, these are real people who are now back in work and benefiting from a regular paypacket,” she said.
“With a drop of 48 per cent in Redditch’s claimant count rate, that’s more than a 1,000 people now able to provide for their families.
“And with wages rising faster than prices, paypackets are going even further too.”
