THE number of people classified as ‘looking for work’ in Solihull has risen by 111 per cent over the same period last year.
Latest figures show the total alternative claimant count for Universal Credit, those classified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as ‘looking for work’ had risen to 7,692 in Solihull, an overall increase of 4,054 on January 2020.
Of these, the number of 18 to 24 year olds looking for work had increased by 998 – a rise of 134 per cent – to 1,745.
These figures are expected to rise as the country gradually comes out of lockdown, with the DWP aiming to double its number of work coaches to 27,000 by the end of March to help people find work.
A DWP spokesman said: “They will be helping people new employment, especially in new sectors and offering new training and work experience.”
Across the wider West Midlands, the number of people employed is 2.78million, an employment rate – in the 16 to 64 age group – of 74.0 per cent.
The number of people unemployed is 181,000 making the unemployment rate 6.1 per cent.
However, compared to April-June 2010 the number of people in workless households has fallen by 139,000.
