Number of people in work at a record high

Latest figures show that 1.233million people (73.6%) are in work in the region.

This represents an increase of 14,000 over the quarter and 14,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 75.6% nationally.

North East unemployment stands at 63,000 or 4.9% – a fall of 6,000 over the quarter and 13,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.2% nationally.

Steve McCall, from the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “We continue to try to prepare jobseekers through targeted training, volunteering, work-experience placements and sector-based work academies and we are seeing significant benefits of this approach through recent recruitments.

“We are also concentrating efforts on working with the 40+ age group. Here, we are running courses (Returneeships) which are designed for jobseekers looking to enhance their skills or confidence or seeking a career change. These courses are being delivered across Northumberland.

“We have also recently welcomed Smart Works to the area, which offers interview clothing for unemployed women with a job interview lined up.”