Spending review could hinder employment progress
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce is warning the government that further improvements in employment figures “could be hampered” with announcements from next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review. It comes after new employment figures showed a slight improvement for September.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, the number of people in Nottinghamshire claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in September fell to 14,283 - down from 14,514 in July.
In Derbyshire, however, September's figure rose slightly to 15,045 from 15,008 in August.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Whilst the economic recovery has continued throughout 2010, there is a danger that any further progress may be hampered as a result of announcements made in next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review.
“Business recognises that cuts do need to be made if the UK is to stand any chance of overturning its massive structural deficit and firms will be able to cope with such changes providing the details are outlined in full and they are not introduced at a pace which is harmful to the private sector.
“It is therefore imperative that once the Chancellor has finalised his expenditure proposals, he articulates them clearly and concisely and, most importantly, sticks to what he’s pledged so that businesses can plan accordingly.”
