NEW figures show that the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in September decreased by 2,300 (4.8 per cent) when compared with August 2014 figures.
Youth unemployment (JSA claimants aged 16-24) in Greater Manchester fell by 360 between August and September, falling by 360 to around 10,200.
On an annual basis, the number of youth JSA claimants is 46.8 per cent (9,000) lower than this time last year.
And long-term claimants in Greater Manchester declined in September 2014 to 20,700, down by 1,500 (6.7 per cent) on the August figure.
Stephen Overell, principal for employment and skills at New Economy, said: “September’s data shows the trend of substantial and steady monthly falls in the JSA claimant count has continued into the autumn, with Greater Manchester moving people off benefits at a faster rate than the rest of the country.
“While on the face of it this looks like strong evidence of recovery, there is more going on behind these figures than is immediately obvious. JSA claimant count data in Greater Manchester is becoming an increasingly unreliable indicator of the health of the labour market.
“This is because the people who are claiming the government's new flagship benefit - universal credit, which is being introduced in the North West before roll out to the rest of the country - are not being counted as unemployed, even though the vast majority of them are."
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