BY IAN CROUCH
Unemployment is on the rise again in the Hunter after encouraging signs in July and August.
The jobless rate for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie rose from 7 per cent in August to 9 per cent last month, while the Hunter Valley rate soared from 4.7 per cent in August to 8.1 per cent in September.
The number of people in work fell by 3,000 in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and 7,000 in the Valley.
The Hunter Business Chamber says more people re-entering the job market and apprehension among employers over cuts to the JobKeeper subsidy are likely factors in the increase.
Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes is calling on the state government to provide payroll tax relief to the region's employers who are hiring staff.
