A fall in the number of people who are in work

The latest job statistics for the region have been released.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, show that 1,201million (71.6 per cent) people are in work in the region.

This represents a fall of 30,000 over the quarter and 24,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 75.7 per cent nationally.

At the same time, unemployment in the region stands at 61,000, or 4.8 per cent – a fall of 2,000 over the quarter and 17,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.2 per cent nationally.

The claimant count stands at 59,500, or 4.9 per cent, in the North East. The national claimant count rate is 2.5 per cent.

Paul Carbert, policy adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “The figures show a slight dip in North East employment following several quarters of growth.

“However, unemployment is also down on the same period last year, and the unemployment rate and level is at a record low.

“The fall in employment is mirrored by an increase in the number of people classified as economically inactive. The North East economic inactivity rate is above the national average, although the gap has closed in recent years.”