Unemployment down and more people in work

Rochdale Jobcentre

Unemployment figures show more people in Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside are in work than in 2010, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

The number of people claiming benefit in Rochdale is down by 64% in the last eight years for 18-24 year olds, with 785 claimants in June 2018.

The figure for all ages locally is down 42% in that time, with 3,965 claimants.

The Department for Work and Pensions claims Universal Credit is pushing more and more people towards securing a job.

Ian Mitchell, from the DWP in Greater Manchester, says they have made great strides.

He said: "There's more incentives for people to do short term work and build that work up when they are in a job.

"It also takes away some of the insecurity of people moving from benefits into work.

"If people do a short term job and it ends, it is a lot easier for them to come back onto Universal Credit or get their Universal Credit topped up.

"Some of the processes are starting to improve now.

"Some of the staff are becoming a lot more experienced with dealing with the processes.

"A majority of people should be receiving their first payment of Universal Credit within five weeks of making their claim.

"If they can't manage until that date, we have improved the process of people claiming an advance of that credit."