Good news for Harrogate on jobs figures is welcomed by town's MP with caution

Why Harrogate's recovery depends on town's independent shops and businesses

The latest figures show a fall in those out of work and claiming unemployment-related benefits overall and, importantly, a decrease in the number of young people between 19 and 24 on the jobless roll.

However, Mr Jones again warned of caution as the country waits anxiously to see if a potential vaccine can get the country moving again.

He said: “It is clearly good news that the number of people out of work has decreased.

"I welcome it and thank those employers who are recruiting and providing the jobs which support the incomes of individuals and families across our area.

"Over the last ten years the local jobs market has been resilient with unemployment rates significantly lower than the national average. This continues to be the case.

“I need to add a note of caution. While our area has a robust record of high employment the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us.

"Our exit from the crisis will not be straightforward or without setbacks.

"Unemployment is likely to be a feature of this volatility and so, while good news, jobless trends need to be viewed over a longer period than just months during this pandemic.”

The figures showed that in Harrogate and Knaresborough there were 2,580 people out of work – a rate of 4.2 per cent. This compares to a national rate of 6.3 per cent.

This was a reduction of 115 people since the previous month. The number of people aged between 18 and 24 our of work fell be 115 to 455 in October – 30 lower than in September.

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