Better news for people out of work

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Statistics suggesting the number of long-term job hunters is falling are being welcomed by Social Security.

The States figures for January showed 310 people had been registered as looking for a job for more than a year, which is the lowest number since November 2012. The figure had been getting progressively worse through the recent recession with the numbers rising 600% since July 2009 when there were fewer than 50 people officially looking for a job for more than twelve months.

However, the same measure was 380 in May 2013, showing a fall in the second half of last year. Social Security Minister, Senator Francis Le Gresley, welcomed the work which had led to that.

He said: "Significant progress has been made by Back to Work - with specific support targeted at those groups who need most help to get into the work place.  It is encouraging to see that the number of long term unemployed has continued to decrease, with our dedicated Long Term Unemployment unit supporting 20 jobseekers into employment in January this year."

In total, the number of people registered as looking for a job had fallen to 1,860 in January, when compared to the same month in 2013, with the figure adjusted for seasonal variations being the lowest since October 2012.

Of that total, 1310, or 70%, are receiving income support from the States. 

The figures also break down job-hunters by nationality, with 78% of those registered with the Social Security department as looking for work being of 'British/Jersey' nationality. 

Senator Le Gresley added: " The longer term figures that we have are encouraging and indicate that the Back to Work initiatives and employment schemes are helping people get into the workplace. As an indication of the work which has been done, during 2013 1,818 people were helped into work by Back to Work employment schemes and initiatives, 492 more than in 2012.

"We know that there is still a lot of work to be done and Back to Work continues to develop the schemes that it has to meet the needs of employers and jobseekers. In the last two weeks we have launched our 2014 Hospitality Campaign to make the most of the opportunities in that industry and will increase our engagement with other industries, including construction in particular, over the course of this year."

The States figures show that the sector which appears to have released the most staff is "Retail and wholesale, motor repairs and sales", with 19% of those registered who listed a last job, specifying that category, followed by 14% listing the hospitality sector.