Dole-busting drive helps resort fight back from jobs depression

Although the number of people on benefits has hovered around the 5,000 mark for the last three years, the total of those claiming Jobseekers Allowance in March this year was nearly 1,000 higher than August 2009.

The reason for the doubling of Jobseekers Allowance claims over the last two years is the recession, as the resort was hit by some 1,500 job losses in the collapse of local companies and national chains, Scarborough Council experts say.

These included St Nicholas Hotel (80 job losses), McCain (50), UPM Raflatac (75), Wards (106), Woolworths (60), Scarborough/Skipton Building Society (226), Polestar Greaves (190), AW Sinclair (93) and Europower (20).

Because of the recession it was no longer possible to meet national targets to reduce the amount of people claiming key out of work benefits, councillors will be told on Wednesday.

But one out of four of those who turned to Scarborough's Job Match scheme did find work, cutting the number on unemployment-related benefits by more than 200, new figures have revealed.

Scarborough Council's head of human resources and performance, Pauline Elliott, says although it is not possible to cushion Scarborough, Whitby and Filey from the global recession a measure of success was being achieved.

She said: "Alongside the efforts to support people into employment, the council and partners are continuing to strive to create jobs and support local businesses in the current climate.

"Job creation and retention are a vital element of addressing the rate of people claiming key out of work benefits. This means working with businesses to minimise job losses, and creating the right conditions for new jobs."

She underlined that addressing the high numbers of people not in employment has been a priority for the council over the last three years, before the onset of the recession.

There were pockets of high unemployment in Scarborough including the Old Town, North Bay, Ramshill, Woodlands, and particularly Eastfield which had the highest number of claimants.

Out of town blackspots for jobs included Filey and Whitby West Cliff.

A survey, completed in the summer of 2008, concluded that the provision to support employers to recruit and retain people with the skills and qualities they require was not working effectively.

This led to a number of initiatives at the time and paved the way for the Scarborough Job Match: a 1.5m three-year Council project, part funded by Yorkshire Forward, and Europe.

The aim is to fill the gaps in the system of helping job-seekers find work, and businesses to recruit and retain staff. The project runs two "job shops", one on Westborough and the other on Eastfield High Street.

By the end of March 2010 it had helped 818 people, including training 119 in extra skills, placing 217 directly into jobs, and helping 75 local employers recruit staff

Ms Elliott continued: "More than one in four people that the project has supported have got a job. This is an excellent return and is the result of providing intensive support to both those seeking work and employers."

The Council had also worked with North Yorkshire County Council, Groundwork Trust and Coast and Moors Voluntary action to secure funding to create 70 job placements with plans for 70 more Borough-wide.

Others local initiatives to defend jobs include Enterprise Match to help people out of work start their own business, and Business Link Yorkshire, connecting local businesses to the range of support.