UNEMPLOYMENT across the district rose slightly last month, according to the latest figures released today.

But the total number of people in Bradford claiming unemployment benefits in February was still lower than the same time last year.

Figures for last month increased by 2.2 per cent to 9,220. This was 0.9 per cent lower than February 2016 and 24.6 per cent down on two years ago.

The claimant rate rose slightly to 2.8 per cent, compared to the increased regional figure of 2.3 per cent and the static national figure of 1.9 per cent.

The data from the Office of National Statistics includes both people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and those claiming Universal Credit benefits principally for unemployment reasons.

Heather Barraclough, of Jobcentre Plus in Bradford, said that despite the small rise which was to be expected after the fall off in seasonal work, the year-on-year downward trend was still continuing.

"Over the last six to 12 months we have been seeing the rate of reduction in employment getting less, which is to be expected as the figures get smaller."

She added that the Bradford picture reflects the work that is being done locally to provide people with the skills that are needed locally.

Figures rose across all of the district’s five parliamentary constituencies, month-on-month, although Bradford East, Bradford South and Keighley were all down on the same time a year ago.

In Bradford South the number of claimants rose by 4.4 per cent, or 80 people more than the previous month, with a total of 1,900 claimants.

Shipley saw a rise of 3.7 per cent or 35 people to reach 980 claimants in February.

There was an increase of 2.0 per cent or 20 people on the month in Keighley, with 1,045 claimants.

In Bradford East there were 2,515 claimants last month, an rise of 1.2 per cent or 30 people.

And the smallest increase was in Bradford West, where there was a rise of 0.9 pre cent, an additional 25 people to reach 2,780 claimants in February.

In Yorkshire and Humber 2.6 million people were in work in the quarter to January, down by 14,000 on the previous three months, and up by 43,000 on the year.

Minister for employment, Damian Hinds, said of the Yorkshire figures: “I’m delighted by another set of record-breaking figures showing more people in work than ever before and unemployment falling to its lowest in 12 years.

“There’s good news in Yorkshire and the Humber, where there is a near record of 2.56 million people in work, with a near record number of 1.20 million women in work as well.

“But we have more to do, which is why we’re pressing ahead with our welfare reforms to ensure that it always pays to be in work.”