Chloe Smith MP reacts to Norwich North December unemployment figures

Chloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, has responded to figures released by the Office of National Statistics today, which show that Norwich North's rate of unemployment remains better than the national average.

The December 2020 figures for the unadjusted claimant count have been published today, which show the number of people who were claiming unemployment related benefits. This includes those who were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or were claiming Universal Credit and are required to seek work.

There were 3,305 actual claimants in Norwich North constituency in December 2020, which was 6.0% of the population aged 16-64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 6.3%. This was 20 higher than November 2020 and 1,730 higher than March 2020, before the UK lockdown began.

There were 650 claimants aged 18-24 in December 2020, the same as in November 2020 and 300 higher than March 2020.

Nationally, unemployment rose to 5% from 4.9% as Covid continued to hit the jobs market.

Some 1.72 million were jobless the highest level in five years.

Redundancies hit a record high over the period.

Chloe Smith MP, who founded the Norwich for Jobs Project, comments:

“Today’s figures underline the scale of the challenge the country is facing. I know how worried people are - about their health, the health of their loved ones, their jobs, their businesses, and their financial security. And that’s why the Government’s economic priority remains the same: protect jobs. The Government has announced new measures, including extending furlough, more generous support for the self-employed, and an ability to top-up Bounce Back Loans to protect jobs in Norwich, supporting people to continue to provide for their families.

Locally, I want more good jobs in Norwich, so the Norwich For Jobs project will continue to help Norwich young people find a chance. We encourage local firms to get involved and use the new schemes.

I am pleased that the government has made it even simpler for employers of all sizes to benefit from the Kickstart scheme by removing the limit requiring they create a minimum of 30 vacancies to apply directly.”

To find out how to get involved with the Norwich for Jobs project as an employer or a young person looking for work please e-mail info@norwichforjobs.org.uk.