Unemployment down for second month

UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen in Stratford-on-Avon for a second month running after a steady increase over the last three years.

The claimant count fell to 785 people in June, figures published on Tuesday show.

In May the figure was 795 and in April it stood at 835.

The number of jobless also fell across the whole of Warwickshire last month, from 5,785 to 5,715.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the general mood among businesses remained upbeat.

She said: “It is pleasing to see the figures going in the right direction, particularly when you consider the amount of uncertainty there is in a wider context.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) shows that companies across the county are still growing and are still confident – much more so than in other parts of the country.

“The survey suggests that the unemployment figures will continue to stay low in the short to medium term and it has been a big plus point for the regional and national economy that the labour market has been extremely robust during a period of relatively weak growth.”

Ms Bennett added: “The one area where our members are still concerned is around the skills that are required to fulfil their needs as they look to grow and it is a topic that we continue to raise with decision-makers.”