FIGURES show that 63,300 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in December 2013 – a decrease of 2,100 (3.3%) when compared with the figure for November 2013 of 65,400. 

Although these figures are somewhat flattering due to the seasonal boost in employment as people moved off the unemployment roll to take up temporary Christmas jobs, it’s positive to start 2014 on an upbeat economic note. 

The North West (1.7%) and Great Britain (1.8%) also saw monthly declines – both lower than the Greater Manchester fall. As a proportion of the resident working age population, 3.6% of people in Greater Manchester were claiming JSA in December – higher than the North West (3.3%) and Great Britain (2.9%). 

Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16-24) in Greater Manchester decreased on a monthly basis between November and December, falling by approximately 1,100 to around 15,400. On an annual basis, the number of youth JSA claimants is 30.9% (6,900) lower than this time last year. 

There was a decline in long-term (6 months+) claimants in Greater Manchester in December 2013 to 29,100, a monthly fall of 1,300 (4.3%). On an annual basis the number of long-term claimants is 18.3% (6,500) lower than this time last year. The North West (19.0%) and Great Britain (17.5%) also saw annual declines in long-term claimants. 

Commenting on the data John Holden, deputy director of economic strategy at New Economy, said: “The decline in jobseeker’s allowance claimants in Greater Manchester in the final month of 2013 is further confirmation that the local economy is strengthening. Although these figures are somewhat flattering due to the seasonal boost in employment as people moved off the unemployment roll to take up temporary Christmas jobs, it’s positive to start 2014 on an upbeat economic note. 

“The challenge now is to ensure that this good start is turned into a long-term sustained recovery. Greater Manchester making additional funding available for its Business Growth Hub to provide targeted support to more than 1,000 local businesses highlights the ambition is there locally to ensure this is the case.”