Are jobs being created in your city?
The Channel 4 Jobs Report tracks eight UK cities and regions to get a snapshot of how many jobs are being created. But we want to hear from you – tell us the jobs story in your area here.
Unemployment in the UK has risen to its highest level in 16 years and how to create enough jobs for those who need them has become a national preoccupation – and one that the Channel 4 Jobs Report is exploring.
However job-seekers and employers in different parts of the UK have a very different story to tell: Glasgow is hoping to become a centre for expertise in renewables – both research and engineering, while there is optimism about the creation of 10,000 new jobs in the ICT sector in Northern Ireland.
In the north east, there is stiff competition for jobs with 9.3 jobseeker claimants per unfilled vacancy and only 61 vacancies per 10,000 people. Meanwhile in Liverpool, the number of jobseekers may be above average, but there are 193 vacancies per 10,000 people.
As part of the Channel 4 Jobs Report, we have looked in detail at eight UK cities and regions. Our jobs reporters from businesses from each area [pictured above] have provided a snapshot of the number of jobs created in their city, as well as the sectors that promise growth, as we track how jobs are created and where. Click on their faces in the image above, or in the links below to get an update from each city.
And whether you are an employer looking to hire, or a job-seeker looking for work, we want to hear from you. Add your comments, experiences and advice to the blog for each city – and help us to tell your story.
We’ve listed the latest key jobs figures from the Office of National Statistics for each of the eight areas, along with some thoughts from their respective chamber of commerce. You can read and comment on each of the area blogs by clicking on the links below.
Glasgow
Gross weekly pay – £489.10 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 6.2 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 87 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 7.1 / 5.7 UK average
Number of jobs supported – 450,000
Stuart Patrick who runs a number of businesses in Glasgow, and is director of Glasgow Science Centre and the Arches Theatre, says that renewables and trade provide hope for jobs in the Scottish city. “We have much to be proud of over the 25 years since the last recession in our mission to transform Scotland‘s biggest city from a crippling over-dependence on heavy engineering to one with a diverse portfolio of knowledge-rich industry,” he told Channel 4 News. “But like everyone else we’re facing a whole new set of challenges.”
Read more: Glasgow jobs blog
Northern Ireland
Gross weekly pay – £450.60 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 7.1 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Unemployment rate – 6.8 per cent / 8.4 per cent
Ann McGregor, who has awards for best senior marketing professional and for outstanding leadership in Northern Ireland, outlines the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce’s plan to create 94,000 jobs by 2020 – and explains why training and support for young people is key to the region’s growth.
“There is no doubt that the Northern Ireland labour market continues to experience difficulties in 2012 and the renewed economic downturn is placing additional pressure on unemployment and jobs.”
Read more: Northern Ireland jobs blog
North east
Gross weekly pay – £451.8
JSA claimants – 7.4 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 61
Unfilled jobcentre vacancies per 10,000 – 9.3
Unemployment – 10.8 per cent / 8.4 per cent UK average
James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive says that while unemployment is still high, the north east export rate is almost twice that of the UK average, providing some reasons to be cheerful: “If there is one message that has been drilled home in the past few weeks it is that it is far from grim up north.”
Read more: North East jobs blog
Norwich
Gross weekly pay – £461.60 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 3.7 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 91 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 4 / 5.7 UK average
Caroline Williams, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce CEO, tells Channel 4 News why male unemployment is higher than average in the county, and highlights the areas and sectors that are likely to grow. “The east of England, and Norwich in particular, is bucking the national trend. Numerous surveys show that private sector business activity is rising above the UK national average, helped by a stronger services sector,” she adds.
Read more: Norwich jobs blog
Liverpool
Gross weekly pay – £498.1 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 7.3 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 193 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 3.8 / 5.7 UK average
Unemployment rate – 12.2 per cent / 8.4 UK average
Carole Crosby, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce deputy chief executive, tells Channel 4 News that companies are expecting to recruit within the next three months.
“Figures from our quarterly business survey of 381 firms in the city-region for the first three months of this year tell an encouraging story, despite a difficult year. Many companies expect to recruit in the quarter, with the manufacturing sector remaining particularly optimistic after a difficult few months,” she added.
Read more: Liverpool jobs blog
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Bristol
Gross weekly pay – £503.60 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 4.2 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 82 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 5.2 / 5.7 UK average
James Durie, Bristol Chamber of Commerce director tells Channel 4 News that despite job losses, the city’s private sector in a range of industries, will generate future jobs.
“Despite a recession in the UK, we firmly believe the Bristol labour market is felt better placed that most other major cities in the country.”
Read more: Bristol jobs blog
South Wales
Gross weekly pay – £454.40 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 5.7 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 87 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 6.3 / 5.7 UK average
Graham Morgan, South Wales Chamber of Commerce director tells Channel 4 News that exports are the answer – but it will take a lot to offset public sector cuts in the region.
“The picture that has been established here is that exports are the key market to concentrate on in South Wales”
Read more: South Wales jobs blog
Leeds
Gross weekly pay – £490.30 / £500 UK average
JSA claimants – 4.7 per cent / 4.1 per cent UK average
Vacancies per 10,000 – 79 / 72 UK average
JSA claimants per unfilled vacancy – 5.9 / 5.7 UK average
Mark Goldstone from Leeds Chamber of Commerce believes the city is at risk of a ‘skills drain’ to London if businesses don’t create new jobs: “Encouragingly though, Leeds’ employment levels compare well to other seven recognised core cities, with only Bristol reporting a lower JSA claimant count”