New statistics from Job Centre Plus and the Department of Work and Pensions show that Salford is home to the highest annual rise in unemployment in Greater Manchester, a rise that's over double the national average.
Despite all the hundreds of millions of pounds of regeneration money that's been poured into Salford and the arrival of MediaCityUK, the city's unemployment rate, based on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants, rose by 19.8% over the last 12 months to March 2012.
Salford's rate of almost 20% compares to a 16.6% annual unemployment rise in Manchester, a 14.2% rise in Trafford and a 17.3% rise in Bury, with the Greater Manchester average 15.3%, the North West average 12.3% and the national average 9.4%.
Male unemployment (based on JSA stats) in Salford experienced a rise of 15.2%, the highest in Greater Manchester. Female unemployment (based on JSA stats) in Salford experienced a whopping rise of 32.6%, the highest in Greater Manchester and getting on for three times the national average (12.5%). And youth unemployment (16-24 year olds based on JSA stats) in Salford experienced a huge rise of 30.3%, the highest in Greater Manchester, and over double the national average (13.9%).
Hardest hit for rises in youth unemployment were Cadishead (81.8%), Broughton (68.8%) and Kersal (61.5%). Meanwhile, female unemployment in Claremont rose by 79.6%, in Cadishead 62.9% and in Eccles 62.2%. Cadishead also saw the highest annual rise in Salford's male unemployment at 35.4%, followed by Worsley and Boothstown at 30.2% and Broughton with a 29.4% rise.
Long Term unemployment (over six months) in Salford also rocketed by 56%, with Cadishead people again the biggest sufferers with a rise of 108.3%, followed by Worsley and Boothstown on 83.3% and Little Hulton on 78.9%.
Every area in Salford experienced a huge rise in unemployment over the past year, and while in some areas the rise is beginning to level off, or decrease slightly, between February and March this year, unemployment in Ordsall, Eccles and Worsley and Boothstown rose 5.4%.
There are now 8,569 people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Salford. And, in March 2012 (latest figs), just 1,423 vacancies reported by Jobcentre Plus, 0.4% less than the previous month, and an annual 2.5% fall. In Salford there are now 0.17 jobs for every claimant, or over six people chasing every job.
And these are just the statistics for people claiming Job Seekers Allowance. The real picture is far worse than this. Over to you Mr Mayor…
See previous Salford Star story on unemployment - click here
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