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People Monitor
MAY 2012
Monitor Focus Business People Place Housing
JSA data suggest employers remain cautious about hiring
On a monthly basis, the latest unemployment data show that the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in Greater Manchester has declined slightly by 0.9% (800). Around 87,200 people were claiming JSA in March 2012, compared to 88,000 the previous month. However, on an annual basis this represents a rise of 11,600 (15.3%) compared to this time last year – indicating just how challenging the labour market has been over the last 12 months and how cautious firms have been about taking on new staff. Annual increases in JSA numbers were also evident in the North West (+12.3%) and Great Britain (+9.4%), though both were smaller than the rise seen in GM.
The number of male JSA claimants decreased on a monthly basis by 0.9% (-600) to 60,600, while the number of female claimants fell by 0.8% (-200) to 26,600. Year-on-year, however, male JSA claimants increased by 6,800 (12.6%) while female claimants climbed by 4,800 (21.8%).
Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16–24) dropped by 500 (-1.8%) between February and March to 27,300. Despite this, over a 12 month period there are still 4,440 (+19.3%) more young people in GM claiming JSA benefits than there were in March 2011.
There are just over 37,000 long-term (6 months+) claimants based on the new data for March 2012, a monthly rise of 3.4% (1,200) compared to February. The increase over the last 12 months is even higher at 55.3% (13,200), above the rises seen in the North West (53.1%) and Great Britain (49.9%).
The news that the number of vacancies reported by Jobcentre Plus increased on a monthly basis – from 16,900 in February to 17,500 in March – is positive news, though vacancies data can be subject to significant fluctuation, meaning caution should be taken in interpreting these figures.
In all likelihood, labour market conditions will remain difficult over the coming months. There is also the risk that April’s JSA figures will show another spike in claimants – with April being the traditional financial year end and a time when many fixed term contracts come to an end, and many of these may not be renewed given the ongoing economic uncertainty.
DOWNLOAD THE BACKGROUND DATA
- Jobseeker’s allowance claimants (789kb)
- Jobseeker’s allowance flows (75kb)
- Jobcentre Plus reported vacancies (334kb)
- Worklessness (36kb)
DISCLAIMER
All data contained in the Manchester Monitor, and all Monitor-related reports, has been compiled by New Economy from a range of sources and is published for general information purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data and other material contained in this report, the Commission for the New Economy does not accept any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any person for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any errors or omissions. The information, opinions and forecasts set out in the report should not be relied upon to replace professional advice on specific matters, and no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of any material in this publication can be accepted by the Commission for the New Economy.
