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    26

    Jan 2021

    Last Updated: 26/01/2021
    Business
    Business

    Harrogate district bucks UK unemployment trend

    by Thomas Barrett

    | 26 Jan, 2021
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    Office for National Statistics data published today reveals 3,540 people in the Harrogate district were claiming out-of-work benefits on December 10 - down by 85 on November's figure.

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    The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in the Harrogate district has fallen slightly — bucking the national trend.

    Office for National Statistics data published today reveals 3,540 people in the Harrogate district were claiming out-of-work benefits on December 10.

    This is down by 85 on the November figure of 3,625.

    At 3.7%, Harrogate is considerably below the UK figure of 6.3% for people claiming the benefits, which include Job Seekers’ Allowance and Universal Credit.

    Universal Credit is available for some people in work as well as the unemployed.




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    Figures in the district have remained stable throughout the pandemic, which suggests the government furlough scheme has protected many staff from redundancy.

    Today's ONS figures reveal 5% of the UK population is unemployed, which is the highest rate for more than four years.

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:



    "This crisis has gone on far longer than any of us hoped - and every job lost as a result is a tragedy,"
    "Whilst the NHS is working hard to protect people with the vaccine, we're throwing everything we've got at supporting businesses, individuals and families."