I welcomed a dramatic fall in unemployed benefits claimants following the end of pandemic lockdowns. The fall in youth claimants is now lower than before the pandemic.
In March 2020, before the pandemic, official statistics show that 2,415 residents were claiming unemployment benefits. This number rose to 4,140 in March 2021. In March 2022, the number of unemployed claimants had fallen to 2,765.
For youth claimants, there was even better news. March 2020, before the pandemic, official statistics show that 515 residents aged 18-24 were claiming unemployment benefits. This number rose to 825 in March 2021. In March 2022, the number of unemployed claimants aged 18-34 had fallen to 455 – lower than before the pandemic.
It is great news to see such a dramatic fall in the number of residents claiming out of work benefits. It shows the impact of the Government’s decisive economic action and strong leadership during the pandemic.
It is particularly welcome to see that youth unemployed claimants are now even lower than before the pandemic began. This is great news for younger people. I am also hearing that many of the P&O workers who were so disgracefully sacked have been able to find alternative work in a very short time. In addition the creation of even more jobs at the new border facilities will be a great boost for our local economy.
While this is all good news, I am very aware of the challenges with the cost of living, which have arisen as a result of the pandemic and made worse by the war in Ukraine. Many local families and older people are under real pressure and I am doing all I can to see action is taken to help.