A NEW job centre has opened up in Bolton to ensure that even more people can be helped back into work.

Occupying the Orlando Bridge building, this jobcentre will operate an an appointment-only basis.

On Wednesday Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East - where the new jobcentre is located - and MP for Bolton West Chris Green attended the grand opening, along with staff members.

The new job centre has been established as a temporary office to support those who need additional help finding work and to cope with the increased demand due to the pandemic.

Staff at the job centre on Blackhorse street have worked hard throughout the pandemic to ensure jobseekers have received the support they need.

The Kickstart programme has been hugely successful in the borough, helping those aged 18-24 get into Government-funded placements and staff have worked closely with Bolton-based employers.

In fact, figures released earlier this month showed that the unemployment rate in the borough has dropped by nearly 10 per cent from last year.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the alternative claimant count as of May 21 was 14,464, down nine per cent on the previous year after the first lockdown.

Universal Credit claimant figures still remain high in the borough, after they initially soared following the first lockdown in March.

The MPs were given a guided tour of the Orlando Bridge building and spoke to work coaches.

Ms Qureshi said: “It was an honour and a privilege to open the new Job Centre at Orlando Buildings as well as be treated to a guided tour of the office and the opportunity to meet a whole host of staff members.”

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being an MP is attending constituency visits such as this and taking the opportunity to meet with my constituents.”

Mr Green said: “The last sixteen months have been very difficult for people right across Bolton, but I am pleased to see as we return to normal that the superb team at our local job centre are putting in the work and effort to ensure that they are ready to support people back into employment.”

Penny Applegate, partnership manager at Bolton Jobcentre Plus said:“I would say that I am pleased to see this new office open to assist Bolton residents back in to employment and that it was good to have the support of our MPs at the opening.”