Chamber comment on this month’s employment stats
Date published:
Callum George, Policy Adviser at the North East England Chamber of Commerce said:
“The ONS employment figures for November show that- whilst rates of economic inactivity are still concerning- gaps between the North East and the UK are closer than previous months.
“Between July and September, the unemployment rate in the North East for those aged 16+ was 0.6% higher than the national average. Similarly, the economic inactivity rate for people aged 16-64 in the North East remained higher than the national average, by 3.6%. The North East’s employment rate for those aged 16-64 was 3.8% lower than the national average.
“In the North East, the unemployment rate has improved by 0.9% compared to April-June 2022. Additionally, the employment rate has improved by 0.3%. However, economic inactivity has worsened by 0.3%.
“With Prime Minister Sunak’s government announcing their new fiscal plan in two days, it is crucial that those who are struggling to access the job market are accounted for. This means a commitment to training and education, as well as a focus on helping adults back into work who left the labour market during COVID.”
Notes
Data published by the ONS shows between July and September 2022, the average unemployment rate in the UK for ages 16+ was 3.6%. In the North East this was higher, at 4.2%.
The UK’s average employment rate for ages 16-64 was 75.5%. In the North East this was lower, at 71.7%.
The UK’s average economic inactivity rate for ages 16-64 was 21.6%. In the North East this was higher, at 25.2%.