A rise of almost 200 people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in Wrexham during the last month has been described as “deeply worrying” by the town’s MP.
Figures released today show that the number of people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in Wrexham during January was 1,932, almost 200 up from December 2011 which saw 1,740 claimants, an increase of approximately 11%.
The number of claimants has hit its highest level since March 2010, almost two years ago.
As a percentage the number of people claiming JSA in the town currently stands at 4.3%, above the UK average of 4%, but slightly below the Welsh national average of 4.4%.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said: “This rise is deeply worrying for Wrexham. This is a direct consequence of wrong Tory policy which is depressing our economy.
“It is important that people know there is help out there, such as the Welsh Jobs Fund for young people, or the Prime of Life project for those over 50.
“However, it is also important that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats wake up to the impact their policies are having right across the UK.
“They claim to want people off benefits and back into work, their policies are having the opposite effect. They claim to want to cut the deficit, but fewer people paying income tax will have the opposite effect.
“The government should look at its policies and change course.”
A breakdown of the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Wrexham can be viewed here http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/wpca/1929380377/subreports/jsa_time_series/report.aspx
What do you think can be done to boost employment in Wrexham? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.
cleverblobs
February 16, 2012 at 12:50amClwyd South is 3.9% which includes many villages such as Coedpoeth therefore these figures don’t reflect the whole picture of the Wrexham area.
Cleverblobs
February 15, 2012 at 5:39pmThis is deeply worrying and while Ian Lucas may have a dig at the Tories in Westminster there should be a lot of emphasis on what actions can be taken in the Wrexham area rather than blaming the government because they are all hopeless whatever the party. Personally i think the council should be constantly communicating with businesses in the retail sector to attract new stores in the town and while promoting the new access road to the industrial estate so that business know that Wrexham is easily accessible for all. Conferences at Glyndwr should be held on a regular basis for those wanting to start a business and give people the right knowledge and where to get funding and sufficient funding should be available to those who require it. We have had successes in the area therefore they should continue.
I am not particular a supporter of these training providers such as ITeC/A4e/ACT i have had first hand experience of the type of training they offer and its very basic and if i was an employer it would not be beneficial that they attended one of these courses. What is also worrying is that many employers use them for cheap labour, which can be criticised heavily. National and local government should co-operate with businesses more effectively in terms of allocating funds to employ people rather than allocating money to give to training providers, which will keep them out of the unemployment numbers (please tell me if i am wrong). There are some people who need to improve their skills, but there are people who are at different levels and there should be more attention to the individual.
Careers Wales needs transforming this place is horrendous the interior is demotivating. The staff should be more positive and support dreams of individuals try to motivate young people in starting businesses. Young people should be able to gain Work experience in the industries they would like to work in more easily and they should offer this service through careers wales while they are in College and University so more opportunities are available other than those offered by the educational institutions.
The Job Centre should advise time and time again that not all the jobs are available through the job centre. They should be more help with those who don’t have a computer or are unable to use them and this help should be given at the job centre by appointments. Therefore they could look at all the different companies websites and offer phone numbers for agencies while also helping them write speculative letters to companies.
There are many improvements many of these issues can be resolved without spending money just more co-operation, but i don’t have much hope that any of the issues will get resolved.
Neil Marcus Rowlands
February 15, 2012 at 3:08pmThe current system is broken. they force people into these ‘programmes’ and end up depriving them of the support they truly need and end with those people getting bullied by these outsourced companies.
I was working on starting my own business but they wouldn’t let me on the New Enterprise Allowance scheme because I didn’t have a business plan, but wouldn’t offer me the support to write a business plan as I am dyslexic.
I’m almost ready to start my business but now that I can’t go on the NEA as I’m locked out of that system, if I start my business slow now (no funds) then I will be forced to sign off and be left with no means to feed myself or pay rent etc.