Published: Thursday, 14th May, 2009 12:00pm

Jobless rise is slowing further

by Alan Bunce

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Work and pensions secretary James Purnell at Reading Jobcentre, backing our We Can Work It Out campaign
Pic by: Chris Forsey

A FURTHER 671 people were added to the jobless total this month across Reading"s four council areas - but for the second month running, the rate of increase in numbers has slowed down.

Two months ago there were 1,822 added to the dole queue but last month this reduced to 809. A breakdown of the new figures reveals:

In Reading there are now 4,141 people on Jobseekers Allowance (4.3% of the workforce), an increase of 345.

In South Oxfordshire there are now 1,654 (2.1%), an increase of 94

In West Berkshire there are now 2,419 (2.6%), an increase of 114

In the Wokingham borough there are now 1,977 (2.0%), in increase of 118.

Tim Smith, director of the town"s economic development company Reading UK CIC, said there has been noticably more optimism around since Easter and apart from certain sectors, for many people it was business as usual.

He said: 'Restaurants are having a tough time, small businesses are looking for different retail arrangements but in terms of many other businesses, it is no change. It"s business as usual.'

Last week the Hilton Hotel opened with 115 new full and part time jobs created. General manager Meredith Bevan said he had a 'great mix" of born and bred Reading people, some from London and several who had come from abroad but have lived locally for five or six years.

*READING Buses could cut jobs and bus frequency later this year due to plunging takings.

Its expected revenue from single fares is £100,000 down in the past month. The company is launching a smart-card saver ticket from June, a summer timetable from July which could see reduced frequency on some routes, and may need to close its Newbury offices - though not the bus services. It may also have to cut some Reading drivers" jobs in September.

More on this story at www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/reading/articles/2009/05/14/38436-fare-hikes-at-crisishit-reading-buses/

*CBI regional director Steve Rankin said the diversification of Reading"s industries helped the town although there was still widespread difficulties.

His area includes Swindon which has been hit hugely by the troubles in the motor industry. Reading, he said, was in a 'less worse" position.

Mr Bevan said: 'It"s never easy to create a team but the real challenge was to get the right team.'