A NEAR record number of people, more than four-and-a-half million, are in work in the South East, according to the latest Labour Market Statistics released by the Office of National Statistics.

Responding, Minister for Employment and MP for East Hampshire, Damian Hinds said: “There’s great news in the South East where there is a near record number of people in work at 4.593m and, at 79.2 per cent, the employment rate is also a near record level.

“At 3.3 per cent the South East’s unemployment has fallen on the year and is one percentage point below the national rate of 4.3 per cent.

“Our economy is helping to create full-time, permanent jobs which are giving people across the UK the chance of securing a reliable income.

“We’ve boosted the income for people on the lowest pay by increasing the National Living Wage and delivered the fastest pay rise for the lowest earners in 20 years.

“That’s great progress and we’re determined to help more people flourish in the world of work.

“For example we’ve launched our new returnship programme to help more women get into good jobs after taking time out, and to keep their career progressing.”

One consequence of low numbers of people out of work, says Aldershot Jobcentre’s Hazel Prior, is that local employers are finding it more challenging to fill their vacancies in the build up to Christmas.

Hazel said: “It’s been a busy month with employers now getting geared up for Christmas and recruiting their seasonal staff.

“I would advise anyone interested in a seasonal position to have a look on a company’s website and to get out and about on the High Street as many employers are also displaying vacancies in their windows.”

Hazel added the Aldershot Jobcentre is working with several agencies to fill vacancies, and flagged up several opportunities for job-seekers across the Farnham area.

The National Careers Service is holding Christmas recruitment workshops at Aldershot Jobcentre for those in receipt of benefit, she said, while Vivid Homes are offering interview skills workshops.

Premier Inn is also currently recruiting for house keeping staff to work at their Farnham hotel, and a rare vacancy has recently opened up for a stable worker at The Kiln Equestrian Centre in Holt Pound, near Farnham.

Hazel continued: “The figures also show a large amount of claimants in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and therefore I have been speaking to employers about the Disability Confident scheme, and how to support people with illness or disability into work as they could potentially make a great difference to staffing levels.

“An employer may have to make reasonable adjustments and be more flexible in their recruitment and understand the needs of the person, but there is also the Access to Work scheme which can pay for any adaptions by supplying a grant or by giving support. More information on these schemes can be found at www.gov.uk.”

Jobseekers and employers seeking more information on any of the schemes or to get help with recruitment is asked to call Hazel Prior on 01252 356511.