Dagenham and Rainham unemployment statistics - August

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Dagenham and Rainham unemployment statistics - August

The total number of unemployed claimants in Dagenham and Rainham constituency in August 2017 was 1,630. This represents a rate of 3.2% of the economically active population aged 16-64, the 191st highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest claimant rate, 650th = lowest claimant rate.) The equivalent UK claimant rate was 2.5%.

The UK unemployment rate, which includes people not claiming benefits and is estimated from survey data, was 4.3% between May and July 2017.

The number of claimants in Dagenham and Rainham constituency is 25 higher than August 2016 and the same as in July 2017. There were 340 claimants aged 18-24 in August 2017, 35 lower than August 2016.

Figures are not seasonally adjusted and are rounded to the nearest five, meaning changes may be slightly over- or understated due to rounding errors. 'Unemployed claimants' include people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or who are claiming Universal Credit and are required to seek work.

Impact of Universal Credit and further information

Under Universal Credit, a broader span of claimants are required to look for work than under Jobseeker's Allowance. This has the effect of increasing the number of unemployed claimants. The effect is most visible in areas operating Universal Credit "Full Service" (where rollout of Universal Credit is more advanced). Most jobcentre areas have not yet moved to "Full Service" but will do so over the course of 2017 and 2018.

On 31st July Jon Cruddas MP co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions along with 30 other Labour MPs requesting a delay in the introduction of Universal Credit. Under the government's current proposals Universal Credit is due to roll out in Dagenham and Rainham during November and December this year (2017).

Jon said: "The winter months are always the most financially difficult for vulnerable residents, with the temperature dropping and the festive period both making demands on families. We have seen from the introduction of UC in other areas that the transition is by no means perfect, leaving many without benefits for seven weeks. This, coupled with the possible removal of the severe disability premium has the potential to push many into desperate situations at an already difficult time of year."

Dagenham and Rainham is still in the top 200 out of 650 constituencies for unemployment. However there is a lot of investment on the way. On the old Sanofi Aventis site in Dagenham East construction is currently underway on what will be the largest film studio in London. This will bring 4,000 new skilled jobs, and will also open the doors of opportunity for young people looking to embark on careers in the creative arts.

London is moving east and we now have a new university along with lots of planned investment for the future. Including a planned Costa Coffee and Travelodge to join Elutec, the Pipe Major and Londoneast-uk at Dagenham East.

Jon Cruddas MP commented: "The level of unemployed claimants has fallen this month, but there is still a lot of work to do. This number doesn't reflect the hundreds of unemployed residents not claiming JSA, UC or the many more working on part-time and zero-hours contracts still struggling to make ends meet."