Your browser is out of date. The site may not function correctly. Please update your browser.
Published:
Read Time: 1 min
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has responded to the latest labour market figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), highlighting a mixed picture for the region.
While the data reveals that unemployment in the wider West Midlands region has increased by 0.7 per cent, the Black Country itself bucked the trend and seen a drop in claimants by 315, bringing the total to 49,070 down from 49,385.
However, the Chamber has cautioned that these figures may not yet show the full impact of recent economic changes across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Sarah Moorhouse, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "The modest decrease in claimant numbers across our region offers some encouragement, but we must be cautious about interpreting this as a sign of sustainable economic improvement.
"Our members are demonstrating remarkable resilience in challenging conditions, but we’re very really concerned about the impact of increasing costs of doing business, rising energy prices, and ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and trade deals.
"While the national picture shows a modest rise in employment, the broader West Midlands data indicates our region faces distinct challenges. The government must recognise these regional variations in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.
"We need targeted investment in skills development and infrastructure that addresses the specific needs of Black Country businesses, particularly in our key manufacturing and engineering sectors which form the backbone of our regional economy.
"Black Country businesses have shown their adaptability time and again, but they need a stable policy environment and meaningful support to maintain employment levels and drive future growth."
Ends