More than two in five people 'economically inactive' in St Helens

Looking into employment and economic activity across England and Wales, the Census data shows that 63,242 residents (42%) in St Helens were economically inactive at the time of recording in March 2021.

An economically inactive person is classed as someone aged 16 and over who did not have a job at the time, could not start work in the next two weeks, or had not looked for work in the month before.

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This figure is predominantly made up of 36,965 retired people (58.5%) and 9,825 (15.5%) who are classed as being long-term sick or disabled.

The unemployment rate in St Helens, which includes full-time students, stood at 3.1% in 2021, or 4,706 people.

Inactivity figures 'influenced' by the pandemic 

St Helens Chamber (Image: St Helens Chamber)

While the number of economically inactive people in St Helens was slightly higher than the national average, Lisa Weir, Head of Apprenticeships and Quality at St Helens Chamber said that the figure is slightly skewed due to its recording following the third lockdown of the pandemic.

Despite the cost of living crisis which followed the pandemic, Ms Weir said that the job market has bounced back in St Helens and there has been an increase in businesses recruiting and those looking for work.

Ms Weir said: “The [pandemic] certainly influences the data but we do not feel it represents our current position.

"Due to both the uncertainty of the jobs market, but also the reduced level of recruitment across all sectors, you can understand why inactivity rates are so high.

"From our work with both local businesses and residents, however, we have seen an increase in businesses recruiting and those looking for work.

"Due to the cost of living crisis we’ve noticed that not all applications for active roles or apprenticeship opportunities are from unemployed applicants; it is clear local residents are seeking new roles with good training and career development opportunities."

While there has been difficulty filling roles in specific and high-skilled industries such as the health, care, and education sectors, it was said that other roles had been easier to be filled as a consequence of remote working.

Employment programmes and regeneration projects to tackle inactivity

To target those who are economically inactive and can work, Ms Weir said that the Chamber has hosted several Jobs and Apprenticeship Fairs, have launched employment and training programmes, and offer free and impartial careers advice at the Salisbury Street hub.

The Chamber also works alongside other organisations such as St Helens Council, which provides further employment programmes to gain access to apprenticeships and jobs.

The council say that there will be further job opportunities through the town's regeneration projects and ongoing developments.

Regeneration projects hope to boost employment and opportunities in St Helens (Image: St Helens Council)

Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business & Skills at St Helens Council said: "Looking at our labour market, St Helens Borough has the second highest number of people in work across the Liverpool City Region.

"While the figures are behind the national average, we believe that there will be many opportunities through our ambitious regeneration and growth programmes to help boost that figure as we look to developments like Parkside, Omega and the regeneration of Earlestown and St Helens town centres.

"Historically our borough has had a heavy core of manufacturing, from glass to coal, which declined many years ago, but with the likes of Glass Futures and the Freeport status at Parkside making it a choice spot for advanced manufacturing we will see that sector grow again."

More investment needed for training and opportunities

St Helens South & Whiston MP Marie Rimmer (Image: Marie Rimmer MP)

Commenting on the statistics, St Helens South & Whiston MP Marie Rimmer said that the Government needs to invest more in training and opportunities across the country.

With the rising costs of childcare, the MP also noted the need to tackle this to enable struggling parents a route back into work.

Marie Rimmer MP said: “Ultimately, what really matters is that those who want to be in work are able to find work. Right now that is not the case.

"The Government has failed in its approach to offering retraining and adult education to help people get back into the workplace.

"If the Government wants people to work longer, then they need to make sure the investment in training and opportunities is there.

"There also needs to be investment in local communities so that good paying jobs can be created in St Helens. Glass Futures is a wonderful example of this and I am hopeful that it will lead to the creation of many more local jobs in the supply chain.

"Investment that leads to good paying jobs should be right at the top of the levelling-up agenda.

"Labour will investment in local communities so that local residents who want to get back into the workplace can do so.”

Government response

Jeremy Hunt announced his plan to tackle economic inactivity during the Spring Budget (Image: PA)

At the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he will deliver growth by "removing obstacles that stop businesses investing, tackling labour shortages that stop them recruiting, and by breaking down barriers that stop people working".

Mr Hunt added that he will encourage the long-term sick and disabled into work, including announcing the Universal Support programme – a voluntary employment scheme for disabled people where the Government will spend up to £4,000 per person to help them find appropriate jobs.

Schemes to encourage young carers, older people nearing retirement and parents – including 30 hours of free weekly childcare for all under-5s – to work were also introduced.

"Our plan is working – inflation falling, debt down and a growing economy," Mr Hunt added.

"Britain is on a lasting path to growth with a revolution in childcare support, the biggest ever employment package and the best investment incentives in Europe."