THE North-East has again avoided becoming the UK’s jobless hotspot and a “shift in the mood” means the region is well placed to continue such progress, it was today (Wednesday, February 21) claimed.

Latest figures show the area’s unemployment rate, so long the country’s highest, is dwarfed by the West Midlands.

The jobless number stood at 69,000, or 5.3 per cent, which was down 3,000 on the previous quarter, with the West Midlands at 5.4 per cent, or 153,000, in the three months to December.

Although still modest in comparison to the rest of the UK, the improvement comes after similar headway revealed in January, and Jobcentre Plus’ Michaela Ryan told The Northern Echo that companies’ confidence is rising.

Nationally, the picture was different as unemployment increased by 46,000, the largest amount in almost five years.

However, Ms Ryan, a customer service leader covering Durham, Chester-le-Street and Stanley, said things are moving in the right direction across the North-East, citing Jobcentre Plus’ endeavours to improve candidates’ CVs and provide work experience, trials and sector-based work academies.

Highlighting work in the hospitality sector amid the re-development of Durham City’s Milburngate, which will include bars, restaurants, accommodation and a cinema, Ms Ryan, who also covers Crook and Consett, said: “We are looking to get people into a position where they are right for a job.

“There are lots of jobs out there and you can feel a shift in the mood. The more we can bring people and employers closer together, the more perfect situation we have.”

Nationally, despite the rise in unemployment, the number of people in work increased by 88,000 to 32.1 million.

The South-East had the lowest jobless rate of 3.1 per cent, or 150,000.