| A relatively
buoyant local economy is indicated by falling overall unemployment
and long-term unemployment rates. |
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The Borough's an unemployment rate of
2.4% (April 1998) compares to the national average of 4.9%. 1050
were registered unemployed in the Borough as at April 1998.
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There has also been a significant fall in
the long-term unemployed. Between April 1997 and April 1998, the numbers
registered unemployed for over a year fell from 41.6% of the total unemployed
to 21.2%, just above the County average of 20.2%.
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Since October 1997, there appears to
have been a levelling off in the unemployment rate which
suggests that the labour market may be close to what is considered
as ‘full employment’.
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The Borough’s unemployment rate has fallen
considerably since reaching a peak of 10.2% in January 1993 when
over 4,500 were registered unemployed (Figure 24). 4.9%
|
 |
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There were 683 unfilled vacancies at the Waltham
Cross and Hertford Job Centres in April 1998, a reduction of a third over
the previous 12 months. Nationally, it is suggested that the number
of available jobs may be three times the official Job Centre figures, with
jobs advertised through commercial agencies and in local newspapers. These
figures suggest that local firms may be having difficulties in recruiting
new staff.
 |
The
headline rate masks pockets of relatively high unemployment at the
local level. Waltham Cross South Ward has an unemployment rate of
5.5% (April 1998), the fourth highest ward rate and third highest
actual total in Hertfordshire.
Waltham Cross town has the highest unemployment
rate in the County at 4.6%, whereas Hoddesdon is ranked 15th . |
|
