Employment
County experiences rises in unemployment not seen for ten years
Employment statistics help us understand the condition of the labour market that, for the year ending December 2008, has seen an overall fall in demand for labour. This reflects a slowing down of the economy during the period reported which, for this year, has been extended from August until the end of the year to include major changes not seen for more than ten years.
The ONS1 the UK’s official unemployment estimates from the Annual Population Survey (APS) using the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition. Statistics are also published monthly for those claiming unemployment related benefits; principally the Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). Analysis of claimant counts is available in some detail at local level and there is a large degree of overlap between the ILO unemployment level and the claimant count, although the former is usually higher.2
Job Seekers Allowance Claimant Counts 2005-07
In December 2008, the county’s claimant count was 12,306. At 1.9% as a proportion, this comprised of 8,811 males (72%) and 3,495 females (28%). The working age unemployment rate, calculated from the APS, however, was far greater; 3.8% and 20,300 for the year ending June 2008. The county’s claimant count rose significantly over the year, from 7,465 and 1.1% in December 2007 to 12,306 in December 2008. Although Hertfordshire’s proportion remains lower than both the East of England region and country rates (at 2.4% and 3.0% respectively), the rate of increase in unemployment of 64.8% (4,841) is far higher than both of these at 52.1% and 45.6%. Increases this great have not been seen for more than ten years.
Claimant Count - Chart 1 - Total JSA Claimants in Hertfordshire 1992 - 2008 (by gender)
Source: NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count January 2009 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Claimant Count - Chart 2 - Proportion of working age population claiming JSA (by District)
Source: NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count December 2008 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Indicator UN1 - Long term JSA Claimants (more than one year) by age and gender
At December 2008 the total number claiming JSA for over a year was 775 or 6.3% of all claimants. Although there was a decline in every age band over the previous two years, the number in this category is growing. This is most evident in the 25- 44 age group, which has risen by 14% in the period between October and December 2008.
By definition, the long term JSA claimant count excludes new claimants and those unemployed who have not continuously claimed JSA benefit for over twelve months. These figures will still therefore reflect the low number of new claimants in late 2007. In December 2008, 575 males and 200 females had claimed long term. The increase since October 2007 consists almost entirely of males.
Chart 1 - Long term JSA Claimant Count (1 year +) in Hertfordshire 2005 - 2007 (by age)
NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count January 2009 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Chart 2 - Long term JSA Claimant Count (1 year +) in Hertfordshire 2006 - 2008 (by gender)
Source: NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count January 2009 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Indicator UN2 - Long term JSA Claimants (more than one year) by district
Although there appeared to be a relatively high number of JSA long term claimants in Dacorum, 125, this is mainly due to the district’s size. In fact it only represents 7% of all claimants. Whilst this is slightly above the county’s 6.3% rate, it is still lower than Broxbourne’s 95, which is 7.6% of all claimants and Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield’s 7.3%.
Long term JSA Claimant Count (1 year +) in Hertfordshire 2006 - 2008 (by district)
Source: NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count October 2007 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Indicator UN3 - The proportion of people of working age in employment
The local authority level APS resident-based labour market survey is used to estimate the number of employed and self-employed by place of residence.
Proportion of people of working age in employment in Hertfordshire by district 2005 - 2008
Source: NOMIS Annual Population Survey January 2009 ONS Crown Copyright Reserved
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Indicator UN4 - Proportion of JSA Claimants who have been out of work for more than a year
In July 2007, 14.1% (1,260) of JSA claimants had been in receipt of benefits for more than 12 months. During the last year, this figure rose by nearly 2%.
Proportion of JSA Claimants who have been out of work for more than a year
| Total Long Term JSA Claimants | % of Claimants out of work over a year | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 06 | 1,385 | 14.6 |
| Jan 07 | 1,430 | 14.2 |
| Apr 07 | 1,360 | 14.5 |
| Jul 07 | 1,265 | 14.2 |
| Oct 07 | 1,165 | 14.2 |
| Dec 07 | 985 | 13.2 |
| Jan 08 | 980 | 12.3 |
| Apr 08 | 820 | 9.9 |
| Jul 08 | 705 | 8.1 |
| Oct 08 | 710 | 7.0 |
| Dec 08 | 775 | 6.3 |
Source: NOMIS - Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claimant Count
January 2009.
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1 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK government agency
responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics about the
UK's society and economy . Website: www.statistics.gov.uk
2 "How exactly is unemployment measured?" (September 2007)
www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/unemployment.pdf