Moray benefits claims see rises of up to 20 per cent for February, new figures have revealed
Rises of nearly 20 per cent have been revealed in the newly-published year-on-year benefits claims figures for Moray.
In the Moray Council area, a total of 1485 people were claiming benefits in February, a rise of 205 or 16 per cent over the same period last year. Among 18-24-year-olds, the increase was 40 to 260, up 18 per cent.
There was also an uptick for those in the over-50 category, the previous total of 340 heading upwards to the tune of 50 or 15 per cent.
It was a similar story in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Westminster constituency, where the over figures showed a 15 per cent hike - 195 - to 1500.
The rise among 18-24-year-olds was identical to the Moray Council figures at 40, the new total 20 per cent higher at 245.
The over-50s fared slightly better, with just a nine per cent increase recorded, up 30 from 340 to 370.
Finally, there was more positive news over in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency with a 12 per cent fall - down 35 to 260 - in the 18-24 age group.
The increases in the overall and over-50 groups were smaller than Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency and Moray Council area. In the former category, the total of 1605 represented a rise of 40 or just three per cent, while the latter witnessed a seven per cent increase of 25 to 375.
The benefits figures represent both those claiming benefits while in work as well as those looking for a job.
Charlene Bell, External Relations Lead from Inverness Jobcentre, said: “Our message to employers is that we can help you fill your vacancies, and Jobcentre work coaches are playing an increasingly important role in helping them hire the right people.
“With vacancies in every sector, including hospitality and health care, Moray jobcentres have been working with KPI and Ark People Housing Care businesses.
“For jobseekers our work coaches are geared up to provide the right support to get them job ready, including access to training and voluntary work experience, which can act as a springboard to a new career.”
Jobseekers can also check out thousands of jobs vacancies at the DWP FindaJob website or follow Moray Works on Facebook.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, commented: “[The] figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge we’re still facing to get Britain working again.
“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employment support for sick and disabled people.
“We’ve already put in place measures to make work pay and improve job security - including through the National Minimum Wage increase and our Employment Rights Bill. Since the election, we’ve also seen year on year wages after inflation growing at their fastest rate in three years - worth an extra £1000 a year on average in the pockets of working people.
“This comes on top of our plan to Get Britain Working as part of our wider Plan for Change to boost economic growth, drive up living standards, and tackle the spiralling benefits bill to ensure the system lasts into the future for those who need it.”
