Region sees increase in 'economically inactive'

The North East has seen a fall in unemployment, but this has been offset by a rise in 'economic inactivity'

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

THE number of people in the North East classed as being 'economically inactive' has risen to one of its highest level in more than 20 years.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the proportion of people in the region classified as economically inactive - not working due to ill health, caring responsibilities or early retirement - has reached 28.3%.

That figure was significantly higher than any other region, highlighting the region's unique challenge in getting people able to work.

The ONS figures also showed that the region's unemployment rate had fallen to 4.4%, below the national average, but taken together it means that the North East has the lowest number of people actually in work.