MANY more over-50s have returned to the workforce in the past year amid talk of a “great unretirement”, official figures suggest.

There has also been a substantial fall in the number of under-25s out of work locally.

Nationally, the Office for National Statistics said a record number of people moved out of “economic inactivity”, with more under-25s and older people joining the workplace. One pensions expert at Hargreaves Lansdown has said a “great unretirement” at the end of last year drove a record number of people into work.

In the Dorset Council area, unemployment-related benefit claims were down 15 per cent to 4,955. This included a 19 per cent drop in claimants aged over 50, to 1,390, and a seven per cent drop in under-25s, to 815.

The unemployment claimant count for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole stood at 8,125 in January, down 14 per cent overall.

There were 2,080 people over 50 claiming benefit for unemployment – down 18 per cent on the previous January. The number of claimants aged 18-24 stood at 1,195, down nine per cent year-on-year.

The south west was the only region in England to have consecutive lower unemployment and higher unemployment figures.

David McArthur, partnership manager for the Department for Work and Pensions in Dorset and Hampshire, said: “Across our jobcentres, work coaches provide every jobseeker with tailored support, helping to build confidence and develop new skills, so breaking down the barriers for those re-entering the workforce. The focus being for people over 50 or those who have been out of work due to ill health.

“Increasing the labour force is key activity in order to help businesses fill their vacancies. Locally we’ve been working with the NHS, Ministry of Justice and multiple hospitality and retail employers. To support this we are holding regular jobs fairs and work academies. Meanwhile jobseekers can find their perfect match by searching our DWP ‘Find a job’ website, which currently has over 180,000 thousand jobs on offer.

“Locally in Bournemouth, Poole and Blandford we worked in strong collaboration with the NHS regarding the recent NHS Care Scholarship day held at the BIC. It was a great success, with 97 job offers made. Upcoming we have events and information sessions linked to supporting those 50+, information sessions for the upcoming BCP seafront vacancies, and events linked to careers in care and women into construction.”

A jobs fair is held on Wednesday, February 22, 1-3pm, at Weymouth Jobcentre, with employers including PGL, MPLOY, Haven, Weymouth Seaview, Dorset Volunteers and Alina Homecare, with a similar event on March 12.

Another event is held on Thursday, February 23, 1.30-3.30pm, at Poole Jobcentre Plus, with employers including BCHA, the NHS, New Milton Sand and Ballast, Mactech and Parkdean Resorts. A similar event is held on March 23.

“We are also working in strong collaboration with the Dorset Echo on their next fantastic Job Fair at Weymouth College on Thursday, March 23, 10am to 3 pm,” said Mr McArthur.

“Exhibitors to date include Gungho Marketing, Atlas Electronik, Dorset Police, St Jude’s Care, Care Dorset, and the college itself.”