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02
Mar 2021
Harrogate district continues to buck UK unemployment trend
The Harrogate district continues to buck the trend as the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits falls slightly, according to latest figures.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics for January show 3,460 people were claiming out-of-work benefits — 3.7% of the population.
The number is down from 3,540 in December.
This is in contrast to the UK figure of 6.2% of the population claiming support.
Read more:
- Harrogate district bucks UK unemployment trend
- ‘Long slog to May’: Harrogate businesses react to covid roadmap
Financial support for those out of work include Universal Credit and Job Seekers’ Allowance.
Figures in the district have remained stable throughout the pandemic, which suggests the government furlough scheme has protected many staff from redundancy.
Professor Jamie Morgan, of Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University, said the impact on the figures of furlough ending will depend on people having jobs to return to.
He added it would also depend on whether employers were in a position to maintain staff and also have customers returning.
Professor Morgan said:
However, he added that the effect on the numbers will also depend on what, if any, public health restrictions are placed on businesses later this year.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to outline his budget tomorrow, which is expected to include a £5 billion fund to help retailers and the hospitality sector reopen.
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