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Large decrease in Moray benefits claimants over course of last year


By Alan Beresford

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THERE has been a large decrease in the number of people in Moray claiming benefits and looking for work, latest figures have revealed.

There has been a big fall in the year on year jobless for Moray.
There has been a big fall in the year on year jobless for Moray.

Statistics released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show that year on year for November 2021 there was a 39 per cent decrease in the region from 2740 to 1675.

There was even better news among the 18-24 age group over the same period, where a 42 per cent fall was recorded, with the figure of 283 representing a decrease of 206.

Among all those claiming Universal Credit (UC) in Moray – including those in work – there was a rise between December 9, 2021 and January 13, 2022 from 6228 to 6286.

Ann Dowd, DWP employer and partnership manager for Moray. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Ann Dowd, DWP employer and partnership manager for Moray. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Ann Dowd DWP employer and partnership manager from Moray Jobcentres, said: “Our dedicated work coaches are working flat out to help people get back into work, as we bounce back from the pandemic.

“We want people to know we’re there for them, and that we’re working with local employers to identify and help fill their vacancies in all sectors, but especially key industries.

“The good thing is, is that there are jobs out there, and the latest figures show the number of online job adverts in the Scotland have risen by 13.3 per cent since Covid-19.”

A variety of jobs are currently available from the DWP north of Scotland Twitter account @jcpinnorthscot, ranging from Walkers, Scotmid, and Hanover Scotland through to Boeing.

At the time of writing some 232 positions in the region were available on the Find a Job portal.

The DWP-backed Sector-based Work Place Academies (SWAPs) are continuing to run, with four customer graduating on February 11 in the manufacturing/distillery sector, with a further three being interviewed for positions.

An information session at Mayne's Coaches in Buckie saw three of the six who attended go forward on SWAP. They will have intensive training for their licence and work experience to find out more about the day-to-day working in the sector.

A drive is also under way to contact employers regarding the Disability Confident programme, which aims to help disabled people overcome barriers and get back to the world of work. Due to the pandemic, some employer memberships of the scheme may have lapsed.

Recently a new programme of support called Supportive Steps has launched and is available to customers from northern Scotland – focusing on those further away from labour market, helping them to build confidence, overcome barriers, build positive 'can do mindset' and gradually prepare them for entry into labour market.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP. Picture: mimsdavies.org.uk
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP. Picture: mimsdavies.org.uk

Welcoming the latest figures, Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said: “Today’s figures show further positive signs of recovery, with unemployment continuing to drop and 436,000 people joining company payrolls since the start of the pandemic, a record high number of employees including more young and older workers.

“Through our Way to Work campaign we are making sure that anyone who is ready to work can get into a job faster than ever before, allowing them to progress to a fulfilling career, giving them financial independence as well as improved wellbeing.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack added: “The UK government’s Plan for Jobs is working, with the number of Scots on the payroll remaining higher than before the pandemic, and unemployment rates stable.

"That is good news.

“While we must keep a close eye on the jobs market, our economy is proving resilient, thanks to the unprecedented package of measures we put in place at the start of the pandemic.

“We will continue to support people in Scotland to get jobs and to progress in work. This is a key part of our Levelling Up agenda, which will create opportunities and improve the lives of people in all parts of the UK.”



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