New figures from the ONS outlined the recent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our fine city

You might have seen the latest unemployment figures were released for the UK this week.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released data showing that 649,000 people left company payrolls between March and June this year.  The figures, taken from HM Revenue and Customs, showed 74,000 fewer people on the PAYE register during June compared to the previous month.

Locally, 13,200 jobs had been furloughed through the Government's Job Retention Scheme in Norwich North (up to 30th June 2020), which was 31% of eligible jobs - the same proportion of the UK as a whole.  3,700 claims were made to the Self Employment Income Support scheme, equivalent to 77% of the potentially eligible population in the constituency - compared to a take up rate of 75% nationally.

There were 3,235 claimants unemployment related benefits in Norwich North constituency in June 2020,  which was 5.9% of the population aged 16-64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 6.3%. This was 1,660 higher than March, before the lockdown began.

Alongside the £160 billion the government have already delivered to aid our recovery and prevent job losses, the Chancellor outlined his Plan for Jobs which will provide significant, targeted support where it is needed the most to ensure nobody is left without hope as we reopen our economy.

The Prime Ministers ‘New Deal’ will help rebuild Britain across the UK, putting jobs, skills and infrastructure investment at the heart of our economic recovery post-coronavirus, and delivering on our manifesto pledges to level up the entire country.

The £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will pay businesses to create hundreds of thousands new, decent and high-quality jobs for 16-24 year olds, covering 100 per cent of National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week for six months – a grant of around £6,500 per placement.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the Conservative Government has stood squarely behind people and businesses with one of the largest and most comprehensive packages of support anywhere in the world.

As we turn our attention to carefully reopening our economy, it is right that the Chancellor is doing everything in his power to support, protect and create jobs. Locally, we are ready to work with Norwich firms to take full advantage of this package through the Norwich for Jobs project which has brought together around 200 employers and to-date has helped over 2000 young people off benefits and into work.  We will continue to help Norwich young people find a chance.

I know that these figures are worrying including for young people looking for work.  That’s why the Chancellor has acted.  I want more good jobs in Norwich, and I say to local companies:  get involved and use the new schemes.

I will continue to work both here and in Westminster to ensure that that we get the support that our city needs throughout this pandemic and beyond.