Welcome to the latest Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Economic Bulletin from the Economy, Skills and Insight Teams. This bulletin brings together the latest government data, national intelligence and local insights to help explain what is happening in the local economy.
This edition focuses on:
- Claimant Count and unemployment trends
- Youth unemployment
- Job vacancies
- Business insolvencies
- Support available for residents and businesses
We welcome feedback on future editions. Please email SkillsAnalysis@staffordshire.gov.uk with any comments or suggestions.
Darryl Eyers
Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills
Staffordshire County Council
View the full bulletin
Key Messages
Employment and Benefits
- The number of people claiming work-related benefits in Staffordshire has increased slightly, mainly because of rising youth unemployment.
- There are now 15,165 claimants in Staffordshire, which is 20 more than a year ago.
- The claimant rate remains 2.8%, unchanged from last year.
- Staffordshire continues to have one of the lowest claimant rates in the West Midlands.
- The local rate is below both the West Midlands average (5.3%) and the England average (4.0%).
Youth Unemployment
- There are now 3,275 young people aged 18 to 24 claiming benefits in Staffordshire.
- This is 310 more than a year ago, an increase of 10.5%.
- The youth claimant rate has risen from 4.7% to 5.2%.
- Although this increase is concerning, Staffordshire's rate remains below the England average of 5.8% and well below the West Midlands average of 8.0%.
- Supporting young people into employment, education and training remains a priority.
Job Vacancies
- Staffordshire had 13,700 job vacancies in June 2026, an increase of 11% compared with June 2025.
- Stoke-on-Trent had 5,700 vacancies, up 12% over the year.
- Despite these increases, vacancy growth has slowed and the wider trend remains flat.
Sectors with Strong Demand
Employers continue to recruit in:
- Social care
- Education
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Logistics
- Health and social care
- Customer services
- Motor trade
- Childcare
- Engineering
The most in-demand roles include:
- Care Workers and Home Carers
- HGV Drivers
- Warehouse Operatives
- Teaching Assistants
- Teachers
- Chefs
- Retail Assistants
- Customer Service Staff
- Vehicle Mechanics
- Childcare Practitioners
Skills and Workforce Challenges
Many employers still report:
- Skills shortages
- Recruitment difficulties
- Labour shortages
These challenges could limit business growth if they are not addressed. Training, reskilling and employment support programmes continue to play an important role in helping people move into areas with strong demand.
Growth Opportunities
Future growth is expected in:
- Digital and technology
- Online retail and e-commerce
- Construction and home retrofitting
- Advanced manufacturing
- Logistics
- Green technologies
- Electric vehicle production
Major developments include:
- The West Midlands Freight Interchange, expected to create 8,500 jobs
- Pets at Home's Stafford development, which has created over 750 jobs
- Continued investment from JCB and Jaguar Land Rover
Support Available
For Businesses
Businesses can access support through:
- Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Business Loan Fund
- Staffordshire Means Back to Business Scheme
- Growth Hub services
- Business start-up support
- Staffordshire Business and Enterprise Network (SBEN)
- Workplace Health Service
- Build and Scale Programme
Recent Investments
- Indurent plans to invest £800 million in industrial and logistics developments across Staffordshire.
- JCB is investing £100 million in new manufacturing facilities at its Rocester headquarters.
For Residents
Residents can access:
- Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Brokerage Service
- Connect to Work programme
- Skills Bootcamps
- Employment and training support services
National Economic Picture
Economy
- UK GDP grew by 0.1% in May 2026.
- Growth was driven by the services sector.
- Economic growth remains modest because of wider global and national pressures.
Cost of Living
- Inflation fell to 2.6% in June 2026, down from 2.8% in May.
- Although improving, inflation remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.
- Average earnings continue to rise, but many households and businesses still face cost pressures.
Business Conditions
- Business conditions remain challenging.
- Companies continue to face:
- High energy costs
- High borrowing costs
- Supply chain issues
- Lower consumer confidence
- Global uncertainty
- Company insolvencies were lower than a year ago, but financial pressures remain a concern.
Labour Market
- UK employment remains relatively stable.
- Unemployment rose slightly to 4.9%.
- The number of job vacancies across the UK continues to fall gradually.
Conclusion
Staffordshire's economy remains resilient, with low claimant rates, strong employer demand in key sectors and significant business investment planned across the county.
However, challenges remain:
- Youth unemployment is rising.
- Businesses continue to face cost pressures.
- Skills shortages are affecting recruitment.
- Economic growth remains fragile.
Partnership working between local authorities, employers, training providers and government will remain essential to help residents find work, support businesses to grow and ensure Staffordshire has the workforce needed for future economic success.
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