Labour Market Insight June 2021 Unemployment – May 2021

Unemployment Data: • The Unemployment Rate in MK was 6.1% in May 2021 • The number of Claimants in decreased by 490 to 10,365 individuals between April 2021 and May 2021. • The Unemployment Rate in Milton Keynes is higher than the national (UK) rate of 6.0% and the South East Midlands (SEMLEP) rate of 5.8%

Male Female Total Date Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate May 2020 6,255 7.4 4,215 5.0 10,465 6.2 Data for the previous month is also subject to revision so figures may differ to those shown April 2021 6,230 7.4 4,630 5.5 10,855 6.4 in earlier briefing reports May 2021 5,935 7.0 4,425 5.2 10,365 6.1

Source: ONS, Claimant count by sex and age [from Nomis on 15/06/2021] Unemployment – May 2021

Male Female Total Area Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Bedford 4,040 7.7 2,950 5.5 6,985 6.6 Milton Keynes has a lower unemployment rate than Bedford Central Bedfordshire 3,905 4.4 2,990 3.3 6,890 3.8 and Luton Luton 7,170 10.4 4,970 7.7 12,140 9.1 Milton Keynes 5,935 7.0 4,425 5.2 10,365 6.1 But higher than Central Beds, North North Northamptonshire 6,450 6.1 4,700 4.4 11,150 5.3 Northamptonshire and West West Northamptonshire 7,585 6.1 5,580 4.5 13,165 5.3 Northamptonshire South East Midlands 35,085 6.7 25,615 4.9 60,700 5.8 South East 160,250 5.7 114,555 4.1 274,810 4.9 1,482,450 7.1 1,020,705 4.9 2,503,160 6.0

Source: ONS, Claimant count by sex and age [from Nomis on 15/06/2021] Unemployment – May 2021

Source: ONS, Claimant Total claimants Total claimants Area Area count by sex and age [from Nomis on Number Rate Number Rate 15/06/2021] Milton Keynes 10,365 6.1 Monkston 375 4.1 East 890 9.7 North & 230 3.4 Bletchley Park 690 7.9 Newport Pagnell South 295 4.4 Bletchley West 505 6.0 Olney 210 3.3 Bradwell 570 7.3 410 4.4 Broughton 475 4.2 740 7.5 & Old 450 5.4 455 6.7 1,035 8.7 Tattenhoe 305 3.7 Danesborough & Walton 345 4.3 735 7.4 Loughton & Shenley 375 3.6 Woughton & Fishermead 1,275 11.0

In May 2021, there were eight wards within Milton Keynes with unemployment rates above the borough average of 6.1%. • Levels of unemployment were highest in the wards of Woughton and Fishermead (11.0%), Bletchley East (9.7%) and Central Milton Keynes (8.7%). Unemployment – May 2021

United Milton Keynes SEMLEP Age Kingdom Number Rate Rate Rate Aged 16-17 20 - - - Aged 18 to 21 1,015 10.9% 9.0% 8.2% Aged 18 to 24 1,785 10.1% 8.9% 8.2% Aged 25 to 49 6,190 6.4% 6.2% 6.6% Aged 50 to 64 2,235 4.7% 4.3% 4.4% Aged 65+ 130 - - -

Unemployment rate by age calculated using the latest population estimates (2019)

Unemployment rate by age calculated using the latest population estimates (2019)

Source: ONS, Claimant count by sex and age / ONS, Population estimates - local authority based by single year of age [from Nomis on 15/06/2021] Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) Extension – April 2021

Cumulative Total Total take-up number of Total employments rate employments employments Total take-up on furlough at at County and district on furlough at on furlough at rate at 30 April 21 30 April 21 / unitary authority 14 May 2021 31 March 21 31 March 21 (provisional) (provisional)

England 9,523,000 3,479,600 14% 2,764,900 11%

South East 1,544,100 578,500 14% 451,500 11%

Milton Keynes UA 51,800 17,200 12% 13,000 9%

The cumulative number of employments furloughed (since the start of the scheme in April 2020 up to May 2021) is up to 51,800.

The provisional data suggests that the number of employments furloughed in April 2021 is down to 13,000 (from 17,200 in March 2021)

Source: ONS, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) Statistics: June 2021 [from ONS on 15/06/2021] CJRS extension: employments on furlough by LA and Industry, at 30 April 2021

Number of Employee Estimated % of Employments Count by Employments Furloughed Industry (2019) Furloughed Accommodation & Food Services and Accommodation and food services 3,020 10,500 28.8% Arts, entertainment and recreation 1,180 4,250 27.8% Arts, entertainment & recreation saw Other service activities 590 5,000 11.8% the largest percentage of employments Construction 500 4,750 10.5% on furlough at 30th April 2021. Wholesale and retail; repair of motor vehicles 2,360 31,000 7.6% Administrative and support services 1,340 18,000 7.4% Wholesale & Retail and Professional and scientific and technical 930 15,000 6.2% Accommodation & Food Services saw Manufacturing 670 11,500 5.8% the largest number of employments th Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Mining and made furlough on 30 April 2021. quarrying, Energy production and supply & Water supply, sewerage and waste 50 960 5.2% Information and communication, Financial and insurance & Real estate 980 23,750 4.1% Transportation and storage 600 17,500 3.4% Health and social work 400 16,500 2.4% Public administration and defence; social security, Households & Other 110 5,500 2.0% Education 320 18,500 1.7%

Source: ONS, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) Statistics: June 2021 / ONS, Business Register and Employment Survey [from ONS on 15/06/2021]