Economic bulletin

View our latest economic bulletin.

Introduction

We are ambitious for the future of Staffordshire’s economy, its businesses, and its people. While global events continue to affect local and national economies, we will keep working with our partners to support residents and businesses. Our aim is to build a more resilient, dynamic, and productive local economy.

Our approach

Our Economic Strategy sets out how we will achieve this. It focuses on:

  • Helping existing businesses to grow
  • Supporting new businesses to start and succeed
  • Making sure residents have the skills needed for future jobs
  • Improving our towns so they are places people are proud to live and work in

Skills and employment

The Skills for Growth Plan supports these goals.  It helps to:

  • Guide employment and skills programmes
  • Clearly communicate shared priorities
  • Shape the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

Using evidence to inform decisions

To deliver our long-term vision, we need strong and up-to-date evidence. This helps us:

  • Understand the latest economic trends
  • Identify challenges early
  • Make informed decisions

The monthly Economic Bulletin plays a key role in providing this information.

About this bulletin

This edition of the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Economic Bulletin brings together:

  • Official government data
  • National intelligence
  • Local insights

Feedback

If you have any feedback please send your comments to skillsanalysis@staffordshire.gov.uk 

Latest edition

Edition 70 - Key Points (Simplified)

Introduction

This bulletin provides up-to-date information on the local economy. It uses government data, national trends, and local insight to explain what is happening across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

This edition includes:

  • Claimant count and job vacancies
  • Youth unemployment trends
  • Local (ward-level) unemployment data
  • Business insolvency figures

Key Messages

Local economy overview

  • The number of people claiming work-related benefits in Staffordshire is starting to rise.
  • However, the overall rate is similar to last year.
  • Job vacancies have levelled off, showing a more challenging economic climate.

We will continue to:

  • Support residents into work
  • Help businesses manage ongoing pressures

Employment and claimant data

Overall claimant count

  • 15,270 people in Staffordshire claim work-related benefits
  • This is 5 more people than last year
  • Claimant rate: 2.8% (unchanged)

This is:

  • Lower than the regional average (5.3%)
  • Lower than the England average (4.1%)

Youth unemployment (ages 18–24)

  • 3,310 young people are claiming benefits
  • This is an increase of 325 people (10.9%) over the year
  • Youth claimant rate: 5.3% (up from 4.8%)

This increase is:

  • Slightly higher than regional (10.3%) and national (9.7%) rises
  • Still lower than the national rate (5.8%) and much lower than the regional rate (8.0%)

We are focusing on helping young people into:

  • Jobs
  • Education
  • Training

Job vacancies

  • Staffordshire has 12,200 vacancies (up 1% over the year)
  • Stoke-on-Trent has 4,900 vacancies (no significant change)
  • There are now fewer jobs than claimants

Sectors with high demand

The following roles continue to see strong demand:

Health and social care

  • Care workers
  • Social workers

Education

  • Teaching assistants
  • Secondary and primary teachers
  • SEND specialists

Logistics and transport

  • LGV drivers
  • Warehouse operatives

Retail and customer service

  • Retail assistants
  • Managers and directors
  • Customer service roles

Hospitality

  • Chefs
  • Kitchen and catering staff

Other key roles

  • Cleaners and domestic staff
  • Early years and childcare workers
  • Payroll and finance staff
  • Engineers and machine operatives
  • Vehicle mechanics and electricians

Skills gaps and challenges

There are still many job vacancies, but not enough people with the right skills to fill them.

This skills gap could:

  • Slow economic growth
  • Make it harder for businesses to survive

Support is available through:

  • Skills bootcamps
  • Connect to Work programme
  • Job brokerage services

Growth opportunities

There are opportunities for new jobs in:

  • Digital and e-commerce
  • Construction (including home retrofitting)
  • Automotive (electric vehicles)
  • Advanced manufacturing (e.g. hydrogen technology)

Major developments include:

  • West Midlands Freight Interchange (8,500 jobs)
  • Pets at Home warehouse in Stafford (750+ jobs)
  • Carlsberg Britvic depot investment

Business support

Local businesses can access:

  • Loans (£10,000 to £50,000) from the Business Loan Fund
  • Grants through the Get Started and Grow scheme
  • Free support via the Growth Hub and FSB
  • Net Zero support through SBEN
  • Workplace health support services

Major investments

  • Indurent plans to invest £800 million in logistics sites
  • JCB is investing £100 million in manufacturing upgrades

National context

Economy

  • UK economy fell by 0.1% in April 2026
  • Growth over three months remains positive (+0.7%)

Cost of living

  • Inflation: 2.8% (above 2% target)
  • Wage growth is slowing

Business conditions

  • Business pressures remain due to:
    • High costs
    • Global uncertainty
  • Company insolvencies are lower than last year, but still a concern

Labour market

  • Employment rate: 75.0% (unchanged)
  • Unemployment rate: 4.9%
  • Vacancies falling to lowest level since 2021

Conclusion

The economy remains challenging, with:

  • Rising costs
  • Slower job growth
  • Increasing uncertainty

In Staffordshire:

  • The economy is still strong overall
  • However, pressures on residents and businesses continue

Key priorities are to:

  • Help people into work
  • Support business growth
  • Close skills gaps
  • Invest in future sectors

Programmes like:

  • Staffordshire Means Business
  • Connect to Work
  • Jobs and Careers Brokerage Service

will continue to support local residents and employers.