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Moray benefit claimants figures on the up for December





The number of benefits claimants in Moray and the surrounding yet another year-on-year rise, newly released figures have revealed.

In the Moray Council area, overall there was a rise of 110 to 1135 - nine per cent - last December compared to the same month the year before.

Benefit claims for December year-on-year in Moray have fallen. Inset: DWP Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres Jane Munro.
Benefit claims for December year-on-year in Moray have fallen. Inset: DWP Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres Jane Munro.

Among the 18-24 group those claiming benefits increased by 12 per cent to 225, up 25. Nearly double that percentage - 24 per cent - more over-50s were on benefits, up 65 to 355.

It was a similar story in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Westminster constituency, where the overall figure rose to 1370 from 1260, nine per cent in all. There was a smaller rise among 18-24-year-old claimants, rising by 10 - five per cent - to 210.

However, there was a steep rise of 26 per cent in claims for the over-50s, with a 75-strong hike to 360 recorded.

There was better news to be had in the figures for the Westminster constituency of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. The total number of claimants fell by two per cent - 25 - to 1370 while a decrease amounting to 13 per cent, or 35, took the 18-24 total to 210.

The over-50s group saw a small rise, up 10 to 340 or three per cent.

Scotland-wide the trend was on the up, again with the largest increases being noted among the over-50s, rising by eight per cent from 23,120 to 24, 870. There was a tiny rise in the 18-24 category of just 90, taking the total to 18,485.

Overall those claiming benefits increased by two per cent - 1955 - to 107,415.

The statistics include those claiming benefits while in work as well as those doing so while seeking work.

Jane Munro, Department of Work and Pensions Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres said that the organisation’s work coaches were expecting a busy year ahead, especially given the fallout from the closure of the St Giles Centre in Elgin,

She continued: “We’re looking forward to another successful year.

“The priority remains to build excellent partnerships with local businesses, so we can help to fill their vacancies with the right people.

“For jobseekers our work coaches have a range of support on offer including access to training and voluntary work experience. This along with specialist services through the Disability Employment Advisors, can act as a spring board to a new career.

“Currently there are vacancies in virtually every sector, whether that’s hospitality or health care. In particular we’re working with Mitie and KPI Hospitality businesses to fill their vacancies. Also we’ve organised Sector Based Work Academies for Construction, and Customer Service/Retail/Barista training.

“We will continue to support employees facing redundancy as a result of the closure of St. Giles Centre through PACE Partnership support. Anyone affected by the closure of the St Giles Centre in Elgin can get advice and information on their next steps by dropping in to the Moray Pathways Employability Hub at Francis Place in Elgin. You can also call 0800 917 8000 to speak to an adviser, or visit www.redundancyscotland.co.uk. Whether you require support to understand the redundancy process, how to claim benefits, jobseeking support or identifying training opportunities, then

please pop along to speak to us.

“Perfect Patter Courses will continue in the new year, supporting our customers to pave the way to conversational confidence, being able to confidently answer questions and participating in discussions without the fear of forgetting what to say, ultimately learning those hints and tips to present the best version of yourself at interview.

“If you would like to know about these courses, please speak to your work coach about Perfect Patter.

“Follow us @jcpinscotland on X for local vacancies and regular online jobs fairs.

“Jobseekers can search our DWP FindaJob website, to check out the thousands of jobs on offer or follow Moray Works on Facebook.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, commented: “[These] figures are more evidence that we must Get Britain Working, which is why the government is relentlessly focused on driving up opportunity and driving down barriers to success in every part of the country.

“With real wages continuing to rise we are working to boost living standards and get the economy growing as part of our Plan for Change by reforming Jobcentres, joining up fragmented local support and guaranteeing every young person has the chance to be earning or learning.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP. Picture: Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP. Picture: Wikimedia Commons

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP added: “Our Plan for Change is creating jobs and opportunities to ensure that everyone across the UK has access to well-paid work.

“That’s how we will make lasting improvements in our decade of renewal and growth.

“We’re already making great strides – introducing huge advances in workers’ rights and our National Living Wage boost will see an increase of £1400 a year from April for hundreds of thousands of full-time workers in Scotland.

“We’re continuing to work closely with the Scottish Government to address Scotland’s inactivity rate through our plan to Get Britain Working. As part of this, Jobcentres across the UK are going through their biggest overhaul in a generation so that those looking for work get the help they really need.

“By encouraging investment to deliver growth, we will put more money in people’s pockets and raise living standards right across the UK.”



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