Keep optimistic over unemployment, says Chamber
The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has urged businesses to remain “cautious but optimistic” after the latest labour market statistics showed that unemployment had risen in both counties. According to the figures from the Office of National Statistics, the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance in the region rose by more than 800 in the last month of 2010.
Scott Knowles, deputy chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Although the December JSA figures show an increase in claimants on the previous month, they are in line with the findings of the chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey. It’s important to remember that seasonal recruitment normally peaks in November, which has an impact on the figures.
“A number of firms, particularly those reliant on customer footfall, lost business because of the snow we had in early December and this may have had an impact on their seasonal recruitment plans, with businesses not needing to take on extra staff to cope with the traditional rise in demand over the Christmas period.
“Most seasonal employment will come to an end in January and February, which may lead to a further rise in the claimant count, although in reality the number of claimants is returning to levels similar to those we saw in September and October 2010."
According to the Office of national Statistics, the December 2010 JSA Claimant Count for Derbyshire was 14,692, up from 14,338 in November. The December 2010 JSA Claimant Count for Nottinghamshire was 14,522, up from 14,025 in November.
Knowles said: “Whilst the full effects of government’s tough package of austerity measures will start to kick in as the year progresses, the chamber’s own research has found that 20 per cent of firms are looking to recruit in the first three months of the year and while firms remain cautious, there is still optimism out there in the private sector.”
