Latest job statistics revealed for region

Employment in the North East stands at 1.21million, or 71.9 per cent, which represents a fall of 13,000 over the quarter, but an increase of 15,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 75.3 per cent nationally.

Unemployment in the region is 67,000 or 5.2 per cent; a fall of 10,000 over the quarter and 21,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.3 per cent nationally.

The claimant count stands at 56,000, or 4.5 per cent in the North East. The national claimant-count rate is 2.4 per cent.

Paul Carbert, policy adviser for the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “The gap between the North East unemployment rate and the national average has halved in the past year.

“Although the short-term figures indicate that the recent growth in employment is slowing, the longer-term picture remains positive.

“We will continue to campaign to reduce skills shortages by linking up business and education.”