There has been an increase of 330 Job Seekers Allowance claimants in September. This brings the total increase in claimants between June 2008 and September 2009 to 6,391, representing an 86% increase in the number of claimants. August and September have seen a greater increase in JSA claimants again, following a slowing down during May, June and July, although not as severe as December to February. The claimant count for September 2009 is 13, 797 (7.9% compared with 7.7% in August). The comparable rate for the West Midlands Region is 5.6% and for Great Britain 4.2% (seasonally unadjusted figures). The gap between Sandwell's unemployment rate and Great Britain's has widened from 2 percentage points in June 08 to 3.7 percentage points in September 2009.

JSA claimants by ward for September 2009 are available here.

Live unfilled vacancies advertised through Job Centre Plus have risen in June to 1142, compared with just 616 in May.

If it is assumed that JCP handle about 40% of vacancies, grossed up the June 09 figure equates to approximately 2,855 vacancies. This compares with a Job Seekers Allowance claimant count of 12,890, which is about one vacancy for every 4.5 JSA claimants, This ratio is about the same across the 7 Met Districts as a whole (the grossed up vacancy figure is 24,445 compared with a JSA claimant count of 110,533).

 

This document plans the approach of the Sandwell Partnership to improving employment rates and skills in Sandwell. It also contains a wealth of local labour market information and analysis. The report can be accessed here

Since October 2007 the Floor Target Action Plans have been superseded by the Local Area Agreement process.

Data from the APS for January to December 2006 has been recently released. The APS provides a range of data on employment and skills down to borough level.

Go to www.nomisweb.co.uk/ for further information.