According to Office of National Statistics, there are 876 people out of work in West Worcestershire as at the end of December 2008, which represents 1.8% of the workforce. 110 of these people have been out of work for more than 6 months. There were also 2,400 people on incapacity benefits as at May 2008.
Mrs Baldwin will hear about the number of job vacancies in West Worcestershire and find out what the key trends are in the local job market.
She will also discuss the deployment of the Job Centre Mobile Office (bus) which currently visits Tenbury Wells every fourth Wednesday in the month. It parks beside the swimming pool in the morning. Publicity about the visits can be found in Tenbury library.
Harriett Baldwin said, "So far, the job market in West Worcestershire remains good, but there are some concerning signs. Unemployment has risen to 1.8% from 1.3% a year ago. I am also interested to hear about the impact of the government's new requirements for those on incapacity benefit." "