Stuart Anderson MP’s inaugural community jobs fair has been hailed as a huge success by employers and residents alike. The event was the very first of its kind as the city’s recovery from COVID-19 gets underway. Now, Stuart has said that the event will become a regular fixture due to its popularity and the impact that it has achieved. Hundreds of local people attended the jobs fair, which was organised by Stuart. Over fifty employers and training providers attended the event to showcase the range of jobs and career opportunities available. The first job offer was made within an hour of the event opening.
Stuart has said that the event is just one part of his overall plan to champion jobs and economic opportunities for local people. Already, the Government’s wider Plan for Jobs has protected thousands of jobs in Stuart’s constituency. Across the country, more than 100,000 young people have so far started new roles under the £2 billion Kickstart jobs scheme, giving them the skills, experience, and opportunities that they need to reach their full potential. More than £6 billion will be invested over the next three years to maximise employment across the UK. This includes over £900 million in each year on personalised careers advice and £20 million in each year on dedicated support for older workers.
New figures show that the number of payroll employees rose by 160,000 in October and now stands at record levels, which is well above pre-pandemic levels, with the unemployment rate falling by 0.5 per cent and over 1.17 million job vacancies now available. This confirms that our Plan for Jobs is bringing economic security to millions of workers, including thousands of people in Stuart’s own constituency.
In Wolverhampton South West, the claimant rate is 85 lower than September 2021 – including 40 lower for those aged between 18 and 24. 13,700 individuals have been supported through the Government’s Job Retention Scheme and over £25 million has been paid out in self-employment grants. At the Budget last month, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP, has also announced that the National Living Wage will increase to £9.50 an hour, with those on the National Minimum Wage set to receive similar increases. These changes will make those working full time over £1,000 better off per year and will particularly support younger and lower income workers as the economic recovery gets underway.
Photographs taken at the event are available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX6BKZr
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I would like to thank everyone who attended my jobs fair – the first event of its kind as our city’s recovery from COVID-19 gets underway. I am pleased that the investment which we are also making through our wider Plan for Jobs has driven a strong recovery in the labour market. Across the country, the number of people in work continues to grow, there are now more paid employees than before the pandemic, and vacancies are at a record high. I am working hard to ensure that my constituents in Wolverhampton benefit from this support. By connecting local people with the opportunities that are available right on our doorstep, we can continue to make a great difference for the better. I will continue to work with both businesses and residents alike to champion local jobs and I look forward to seeing them at my future jobs fairs.”