Unemployment Misery!

Here are the very latest statistics relating to unemployment in the Black Country of which Wednesfield is part.

The total number of working age people (16-64) claiming Job Seeker's Allowance in the Black Country increased by 1,537 from December 2011 to January 2012. Nationally this figure has also increased (61,692 more claimants).

In total 47,183 people, 6.9% of the Black Country working age population, are currently claiming this benefit. Nationally, the average is 4%.

The number of people claiming in the Black Country is higher than this time last year (3,046 more people).

Youth Claimant

Youth unemployment, indicated by the number of 16-24 year olds claiming JSA, increased by 340 people from December 2011 to January 2012. The number of people claiming now stands at 14,945, or 11.7% of all 16-24 year olds. Nationally 6.4% of the cohort claims this benefit.

Looking back to January 2011 shows the same story as some 13,255 people between the ages of 16-24 were claiming JSA; 1,690 less than are claiming currently