THE number of workless households in Barnsley has increased by 12 per cent to more than one in every five households, latest national statistics show.
The Office for National Statistics figures show there were 16,800 workless households in the borough last year, which is 21.1 per cent of all households in the borough.
This figure is markedly higher than the 14.5 per cent average across the country, and 15.8 per cent for Yorkshire and Humber.
The figures are in contrast to the latest data showing that Barnsley residents who are in work earn the second highest wages in South Yorkshire.
Earlier this month the Chronicle revealed average gross weekly earnings rose 3.75 per cent in 2017, overtaking the average pay of both Rotherham and Doncaster, and dwarfing the national rate of growth of just 2.2 per cent.
Those figures related to the total average earnings of people living in Barnsley - who may not necessarily work in Barnsley.
The average pay of those working in Barnsley, but not necessarily living here, rose even more sharply in 2017 by 6.6 per cent.
But over the same period, the number of households where nobody works rose significantly. The figures only include households where there is at least one person aged 16 to 64.
The figure of 16,800 is the highest it was been since 2011, but still significantly lower than at the height of the recession in 2009 when it topped 21,000. At that point more than one in every four households in Barnsley was out of work.
A council spokesman said the spike in workless households shown in these latest figures is most likely a result of the decrease in local labour supply over the past 12 months.
“Barnsley’s employment rate has continued to decrease as we see businesses struggle to grow and expand,” said the spokesman.
“As a result, the necessary employment opportunities are not created. The main job sector affected are those with low/intermediate skill-based occupations.
“We’ve also seen an increase in earnings in existing jobs, and it’s likely that this a result of the types of jobs that have been created over the past year and the ability and flexibility of local firms to increase wage levels in the borough.
“This increase is positive for Barnsley and can be seen in the wider local labour supply by the continual growth in private sector employment levels in areas such as banking, finance and professional services as well as higher skilled jobs.”
The council said one of its priorities is to create a thriving and vibrant economy.
“We’re building Barnsley’s economy to increase the number of better jobs, support business growth and increase skills to help get more people into jobs. To achieve this, a number of strategies and plans are in place - such as the jobs and business plan and employment and skills strategy.
“We’ve played a significant role in the development of new business parks and provided the support needed to become more competitive and diversify. This has helped to attract and create a mix of job types within the borough over the last few years.”
Percentage of workless households
Barnsley 21.1
Sheffield 21.1
Rotherham 17.5
Doncaster 17.1
Yorkshire and Humber 15.8
Great Britain 14.5
Average weekly pay
Sheffield £524.00
Barnsley £494.70
Rotherham £494.00
Doncaster £479.40
Yorkshire £502.30
Great Britain £552.70
