Unemployment total same as pre-lockdown

There were 990 people registered as unemployed, a figure which includes those on States training schemes, part-time or casual workers or those who have jobs that do not pay very well and are eligible for additional support, at the end of the third quarter.

There are 570 people registered as wholly unemployed – out of work completely – which has doubled from 10 years ago, but is 120 fewer than at the beginning of September.

The wholly unemployed figure includes anyone who has either found work/returned to work, but was yet to receive a wage.

Unemployment peaked at the end of May, when 1,631 people, or 5.2% of the workforce, were without a job. Since then, there has been a reduction of 1,061 people or 3.3%.

The number of wholly unemployed people has been decreasing across all age groups, for both men and women, since the end of May – a decrease of 70% in unemployed men and a 58% reduction in unemployed women.

The largest percentage decline was in the 30 to 39 age group for both men and women, a decrease of 77% and 66% respectively.

There were fewer unemployed men in the 16 to 19, 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 age categories at the end of September than at the end of March, the lowest levels seen since lockdown.

As at 3 October, 25% of people claiming unemployment benefit had skills relating to administration and finance, 14% retail, 14% construction and trade and 11% catering and hospitality.

There were 699 positions advertised in the Job Centre during the third quarter, compared to 923 during the same period last year.

In July, August and September respectively, there were 231, 228 and 240 positions advertised there.

Of these, 34% were in catering and hospitality, 16% in construction and trade, 14% in other sectors, such as roles within driving and delivery, engineering, mechanical, IT and beauty therapy and 12% in retail.