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19
Dec
Ripon Tory MP criticises Labour as unemployment figures rise across Harrogate district
New figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed that unemployment is on the rise across the Harrogate district.
The Office for National Statistics data is based on the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits, including Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
According to the results for November 2024, which were released on Tuesday this week (December 17), there were 157,755 people out of work and claiming unemployment-related benefits across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The figures are then divided into constituencies. Locally, the largest number of unemployed claims people are in the Skipton and Ripon constituency.
Ripon and Skipton
Over the past year, the total number of claimants in Skipton and Ripon has risen by 180.
The figures for November 2024 show 1,080 people were claiming unemployment-related benefits, which is 1.9% of the population aged 16-64, compared to the UK average of 3.9%.
Of the total number 575 claimants were male and 505 were female. A total of 180 claimants were aged 18-24.
Sir Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, said:
Figures from the ONS show that, although the claimant rate in Skipton and Ripon remains well below the national average, the rise over the past year highlights the need to support local jobseekers, particularly young people.
Labour’s job tax by increasing National Insurance will discourage employers from creating new jobs. Instead, we must continue to invest in skills, training, and opportunities to help people into work and strengthen the local economy.
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Last month 1,135 people in Harrogate and Knaresborough were claiming unemployment-related benefits, which is 1.8% of the population aged 16-64.
This breaks down to 635 men and 500 women. Over the past year, the total number of claimants in Harrogate and Knaresborough has risen by 20 people.
Wetherby and Easingwold
In November 810 people in Wetherby and Easingwold were claiming unemployment-related benefits, which equates to 1.5% of the population aged 16-64.
Of the 810 claimants 415 men and 395 women were unemployed.
The constituency was only formed this year as part of the 2024 boundary review, although the data shows that unemployment has risen in the area by 155 over the past year.
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