Figures show strengthening of the labour market

New figures have revealed that there was a fall in the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance (JSA) last month and indicate that the labour market is strengthening.

According to the Labour Force Survey, policies to help people back to work were keeping unemployment much lower than in previous recessions, with a slight increase in the number of vacancies in November.

The statistics show that the number of people claiming JSA fell by 6,300 on the month to 1.63 million, with a 53,000 rise in the number of people in jobs in the last quarter.

It comes after employment minister Jim Knight announced that a further 2,800 jobs are to be created throughput the UK in order to stimulate the labour market.

Meanwhile, Paul Everitt, chief executive at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said that the country's manufacturing sector is now over the worst of the recession and employers will soon be looking for skilled staff.

Posted by Peter Arkwright