Unemployment rockets in West Midlands most affluent areas
The new Jobcentre Plus services aimed at executives and professionals will include job clubs where they can get together and share their experiences.
But the unemployment statistics also show that some deprived inner city areas continue to suffer from devastating levels of unemployment.
Ladywood, in Birmingham, has seen the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants rise by 1,330 over the past 12 months, to reach 8,062. This is an increase of 20 per cent.
Of 11 constituencies in Birmingham, eight have seen more than 1,000 people join the dole queues over the past year.
They include Erdington, Hall Green, Hodge Hill, Ladywood, Perry Barr, Selly Oak, Sparkbrook & Small Heath and Yardley.
The number of claimants in the West Midlands as a whole rose from 94,500 in February 2008 to 160,400 a year later.
The figures exclude people not considered to be part of the workforce because they are claiming disability benefits.
Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell (Con) said he had met managers at Jobcentre Plus to ensure they were prepared for an influx of jobseekers from white-collar backgrounds.
Increasing unemployment in his constituency was caused partly by small businesses closing down, he said.
Solihull MP Lorely Burt (Lib Dem) said: “Unemployment in my constituency has increased, but from a very low base.
“It is important that help is available to professional people.”
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