Only a third of people out of work in Shropshire want a job, figures show
Only a third of people who are out of work in Shropshire want to find a new job, figures have found.
The latest study by the Office for National Statistics into Travel To Work Areas – government-speak for Britain's main employment areas – shows that while unemployment in the county is low, there are few people who are out of work who are looking for employment.
It does not, however, show that people are simply putting their feet up when they could be working.
Many of those classed as economically inactive – meaning people who have not worked for four weeks, and will not in the next two – may be studying, unable to work because of their health, early retirees, or unpaid carers for either children or poorly people.
The figures take into account the period from April last year to March 2016.
Telford is home to the highest proportion of economically inactive people, at 19.4 per cent of the 16 to 64-year-old population, followed by Oswestry at 17.6 per cent.
The proportion of people claiming unemployment benefit is far lower, ranging from 0.67 per cent in Ludlow to 1.37 per cent in Telford, demonstrating that the majority of people who are economically inactive are not on the dole.
The figures also reveal that economically inactive people in Ludlow are least likely to be hunting work, at 22.3 per cent of the population, while in Telford 29.7 of those out of work want a job.
Shrewsbury and Oswestry has more people who are inactive but are actively seeking a new role, at 34.6 and 36.8 per cent respectively. As well as showing details of economic inactivity, the latest figures also give details of the kind of employment people are involved in and show the gender divide in people who are out of work.
MPs have praised falling unemployment levels and have said the figures, which also paint a picture of work in the county, are encouraging in showing prospects for the future of the region's economy.
Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said: "Employment in Shropshire is at record levels. That said, there is more to do to ensure those who are made redundant get back into the workplace as quickly as possible."
