Jobless total rises

Date published: 15/05/2008

Unemployment in Rochdale is on the rise. Figures for April show there are currently 2,976 men and 1,031 women jobless in Rochdale — an increase of 30 from the previous month.

The percentage of the population who are eligible to work but are unemployed in Rochdale one of the highest in the North-West.

Neighbours Oldham have 4,222 people out of work.

Nationally, unemployment has increased by 14,000 to 1.61 million and the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has risen by 7,200 to 806,300.

Despite the increase in unemployment, the number of people in work increased by 117,000 to 29.54 million, a record high, reflecting an increase in the working–age population.

There were 22 million people in full–time jobs — up 84,000 from the end of last year — and 7.5 million part–timers, which is a rise of 33,000.

The number of people classed as economically inactive, including those looking after a sick relative, people who have taken early retirement or who have given up looking for work, fell by 33,000 in the latest quarter to 7.88 million — a fifth of the working age population.