Job creation now key for Greater Manchester

The Commission for Economic Development, Employment and Skills is working to coordinate activity across Greater Manchester to stimulate the economy, prevent people becoming unemployed and to offer more support to those residents that do lose their jobs.

Jobseeker’s allowance claimants increased in December on the month by 8, and on the year by over 45. December is the seventh month in a row that jobseeker’s allowance claimant figures have increased, and the rate of increase was the fastest since January 2000.

John Holden, Head of Economic Research at Manchester’s Economic Commission, is not surprised at December’s figures. “The Commission has been studying the unemployment levels across the country, and this rise is in line with increases seen in other parts of the UK. The fact that Greater Manchester’s increase in claimants was at a lower rate than the UK average is of some comfort as it signals that the city is weathering the storm relatively well – however the environment is clearly tough for businesses and residents alike.

“Of particular concern is the falling number of job opportunities as businesses freeze recruitment in an effort to cut costs. The number of vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus nearly halved between November and December, to 11,355, and we anticipate the usual post-Christmas loss of temporary retail and service sector jobs to be reflected in the January and February figures.“

The official recognition of a recession in the UK signals a worsening economic climate and potential further increases in the workless figures. Manchester is not immune from the recession, and local organisations and programmes are becoming more flexible to counter developing issues within the local economy.

“These are particularly difficult times and we believe that jobs will continue to come under pressure for the foreseeable future,” says Mike Emmerich, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester’s Commission for Economic Development, Employment and Skills. “However, the government has announced a raft of new support to keep people engaged with the labour market and to use a period of unemployment to improve their skills. Additional advice, guidance, jobsearch and training support will be available for people facing redundancy, giving them the opportunity to retrain or upskill where appropriate, and extra apprenticeship, college and university places have been made available to jobseekers.

“Both regional and local partners are working with national agencies to help to create jobs, looking at exploiting all possible opportunities within the public sector as well as amongst those companies performing strongly and looking to expand. Further to this, the Economic Commission is continuing to work hard with the Local Authorities and all other relevant city region partners to ensure that they continue to provide wraparound support for those out of work, particularly with regard to housing, debt management and welfare rights advice.”

For further information and to arrange interviews please contact :

Liz Reuben
Head of Communications
Commission for the New Economy
Tel: 0161 237 4179
Mob: 07525 392369

Email: liz.reuben@neweconomymanchester.com

• The Commission for Economic Development, Employment and Skills, which incorporates Manchester Enterprises, will deliver the remit set by the Executive Board of Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA)
• The Greater Manchester area encompasses: Manchester; Salford; Bury; Bolton; Rochdale; Oldham; Tameside; Stockport; Trafford and Wigan.
• The Commission has a strategic remit to deliver economic growth and to improve the prosperity of local people. It is responsible for economic analysis, economic development strategy formulation and implementation and programme management.
• Its vision for Greater Manchester is: “A world-class city region at the heart of a thriving North.”
• The Commission is a company limited by guarantee.
• The Commission is private sector-led made up of individuals from Greater Manchester.
• The Commission is owned by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.