Unemployment in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey falls by almost a half
Unemployment in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey has almost halved in the last year, official statistics have shown.
According to figures published today by the Office for National Statistics, the claimant count for the constituency fell again this quarter to 580 by the end of September. This is 526 fewer than in the same month last year.
The area has the 576th lowest unemployment of the 650 UK parliamentary seats.
The constituency’s MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "The Highlands has been hugely resilient through these tough times. Our continuing low unemployment rates are testament to that.
"I supported forming the coalition in 2010 and have worked at national level to make it a success precisely because it was the best way to deliver the economic recovery and jobs that we are now seeing in the Highlands and across the UK.
"The latest unemployment figures are the strongest evidence yet that the economic strength we have in the Highlands is now being replicated across the country.
"We have record numbers in work and unemployment falling at the fastest rate in over a decade.
"Every job created is a family made more secure and is another step towards the stronger economy and fairer society that I have been working for in Government."
Mr Alexander’s office noted that the claimant figures above do not include unemployed people claiming Universal Credit.
In September 2014, there were around 490 people in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey claiming Universal Credit, but the statistics currently do not differentiate between those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and those who are not.
Therefore, the number of Universal Credit claimants is likely to include people who have entered employment or who are no longer seeking work.
