BOLTON has avoided a major rise in unemployment with the ending of furlough, according to figures from the job centre.

The most recent findings show that between October and November just 241 extra people signed on for Universal Credit across the borough.

Job centre staff had been preparing for a much sharper increase after the final end of the furlough scheme on September 30 this year.

DWP Bolton and Trafford partnership manager Penny Applegate said: “It’s continued the story that actually, furlough ending hasn’t had a huge impact, which a lot of people were bracing themselves for.

She added: “It’s also looking like more people are being taken on, so furlough ending hasn’t had much impact there either.”

The figures showed as of November a total of 32,393 were claiming for Universal Credit in Bolton, an increase of just 0.7 per cent compared with the 32,152 the month before.

Staff at the Great Moor Street Jobcentre are now planning a Kickstart jobs fair in the New Year on Friday, January 21.

This will give employers who have signed up to the government’s Kickstart scheme, which aims to get young people into work, the chance to offer secure roles from care and support work, administration, marketing and sales to social media and customer service.

The final deadline for employers wishing to take part in the Kickstart scheme is tomorrow, while Thursday, March 31 next year is the final date a young person can start a Kickstart job. The government now hopes to see Bolton’s experience with the end of furlough replicated on a national level.

Employment Minister Mims Davies said: “With the number of people on payrolls now above pre-pandemic levels across every region and age group, including the biggest monthly increase on record in November, it’s clear our Plan for Jobs is working.

“As we look ahead to next year, we remain committed to helping employers recruit for the record number of opportunities out there and to giving people – at any age and any career stage – the support and skills they need.”