The number of people in work across the East Midlands has dropped by several thousand in the last three months, reflecting the tough state of the UK economy.
New figures suggest the number of employed people in the region stands at 2.337 million – down 6,000 on the quarter but up 23,000 on the year.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures state the region’s overall employment rate for people aged 16-64 was 74.9 per cent – down 1 percentage point on the quarter and 0.5 percentage points on the year.
Nationally the UK unemployment rate has risen again while staff vacancies fell back further amid gathering signs that the jobs market is turning as the UK heads for an expected recession.
Official figures show the national jobless rate rose to 3.7 per cent in the three months to October, up from 3.6 per cent in the previous quarter.
The DWP said the East Midlands unemployment rate was slightly better than the national average at 3.3 per cent – and was down 0.8 percentage points on the year.
Damien Keenan-Dilks, DWP partnership manager for Leicestershire said: “Jobcentres have had an extremely busy year, consulting and engaging directly with employers to fill their vacancies with the right person.
“We’ve supported jobseekers to develop their skills and capability to enter the labour market, while also helping people to progress in their career.
“For the coming year plans are already in hand to ramp up activity as there are still thousands of vacancies available especially in the key industries including care work, hospitality and logistics
“The changes to Universal Credit and our 50PLUS offer means we can provide specialist help to even more claimants through intensive support, to help them get into work and seize opportunities to increase their job prospects and pay.
“Our DWP ‘Find a Job’ website, signposts people to jobs, where thousands of jobs are on offer.”
Opportunities on offer through local Jobcentres include work at the Wymeswold Business Quarter being built next to the existing Wymeswold Industrial Estate, near Loughborough.
There are also 51 vacancies with 17 employers available across five sectors at East Midlands Airport.
Meanwhile Mercia Park in North West Leicestershire is working with Jobcentre Plus to fill various vacancies.
Official figures on Wednesday are expected to show inflation remained at eye-watering levels in November, but eased back to 10.9 per cent from 11.1 per cent in October.
The ONS data also revealed a widening gap between private sector and public sector pay, growing by 6.9 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively – among the biggest differences seen on record.
Kitty Ussher, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said the rise in unemployment suggests “the labour market has now turned”.
She said the fragility of the jobs sector should temper the Bank of England’s interest rate decision on Thursday.
