Unemployment down in Sussex but more job cuts just around the corner
UNEMPLOYMENT in Sussex fell by 3,299 to 27,263 in the three months to June.
The figures were part of the monthly employment data, published by the Office for National Statistics.
Sussex Enterprise, the county's chamber of commerce, suggested the rise in part-time workers was the main reason why unemployment had fallen.
And the county's chamber of commerce warned there was a rocky road ahead strewn with Government cuts.
It indicated that overall unemployment in Sussex had fallen for the fourth month in a row.
Hastings had the highest claimant count at 6.0 per cent (3,123), followed by Brighton and Hove at 3.8 per cent (6,524), Crawley at 3.7 per cent (2,375) and Eastbourne at 3.7 per cent (2,003).
The lowest claimant counts were in Mid Sussex at 1.7 per cent (1,293) and Wealden at 1.6 per cent (1,222)
Lewes had the fourth lowest claimant count with 2.7 per cent (1,403).
However Sussex Enterprise pointed out the national trend was that part-time workers were on the rise.
They increased by 148,000 in the three months to May, hitting 7.82 m - the highest level since records began in 1992.
Sussex Enterprise chief executive Mark Froud said: "These figures are better than expected, with a continual fall in overall unemployment in Sussex in recent months.
"However, there is no room for complacency with a rise in part-time workers nationally either because they can't find a full-time job or they have taken a cut in the number of days they work.
"The main fear is that once the Government starts to cut public sector jobs, unemployment could start rising again.
"The recession may be over but its effects will be felt for many months to come."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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