Economic inactivity remains high in the North East – October’s employment figures
Date published:
Marianne O’Sullivan, policy manager at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said:
The ONS employment figures released today (15 October) show that unemployment and economic inactivity rates remain an issue for the region.
Between June and August 2024, the unemployment rate in the North East for those aged 16+ was 1.6% higher than the UK average at 5.6%.
The economic inactivity rate in the North East for those aged 16-64 was 3.9% higher than the UK average at 25.7%.
The region’s employment rate for those aged 16-64 was 5% lower than the UK average at 70%.
The ONS has said there is still some volatility within the Labour Force Survey due to smaller sample sizes but these figures continue to highlight the North East’s higher rates of economic inactivity and unemployment.
The government’s recently published Industrial Strategy has highlighted the importance of regional growth through supporting key sectors. These sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services.
Support for the North East’s key growth sectors was one of the Chamber’s election asks to create important new job opportunities in the region. This will help to improve our unemployment and economic inactivity rates.
The government has also said it will focus on people and skills as part of this strategy and will publish a white paper in the coming months focused on supporting people back into work to reduce economic inactivity.
We will be working closely with the mayors, government and Skills England to ensure that we have the right skills and employment support in the region to allow local people to access these job opportunities.
Notes to Editor
- Official statistics under review published by the ONS suggest between June and August 2024, the unemployment rate in the UK for ages 16+ was 4%. In the North East this was higher, at 5.6%.
- The UK’s employment rate for ages 16-64 was 75%. In the North East this was lower, at 70%.
- The UK’s economic inactivity rate for ages 16-64 was 21.8%. In the North East this was higher, at 25.7%.
- The ONS continues to use experimental data following issues with data collection earlier this year and in 2023, which made employment figures unavailable for a period. For more details on the ONS’ switch from experimental data to official statistics under review, please click here.