UNEMPLOYMENT in the district has fallen for the second time this year, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that there were 9,155 people claiming unemployment benefits across the Bradford district in July.

This is a drop of 3.4 per cent, or 325 people on the month before, and is the largest fall this year.

The claimant rate also fell slightly to 2.8 per cent locally, with the regional figure remaining steady at 2.5 per cent and 2.2 per cent nationally.

The data from the ONS includes those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit benefits principally for unemployment reasons.

Tracy Othen, partnership manager for Jobcentre Plus in Bradford, said of the local statistics: “This months Labour Market statistics show a positive picture for Bradford district.

"We continue to work to support people with finding work that matches their skills, and suits their circumstances."

She added that there will be a third Step into Bradford Jobs fair in September where people will have the opportunity to meet employers and providers to help them into employment.

"We are also actively supporting customers in jobcentres to help increase their digital skills by having some of our partners in our offices to work with them and show them how to use IT to support their journey into work," she added.

In all five of the district’s five consistencies, the number of claimants fell.

The highest fall was seen in Bradford South, with a drop of 4.4 per cent or 85 people.

Meanwhile in Bradford East and Shipley, the drop in the number of claimants was 3.9 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively.

In Bradford West the fall was 95 people of 3.3 per cent.

The smallest fall was in Keighley where the number of claimants dropped by 0.9 per cent or 10 people.

However in Yorkshire and Humber the number of claimants rose by 208 people or 0.2 per cent on the previous month to reach 85,162.

Nationally the figure was 906,098, a rise of 6,181 or 0.7 per cent, over the same period.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey said: "With the unemployment rate falling further to just 4 per cent, and youth unemployment down over 45 per cent since 2010, school leavers this week can look forward to a growing jobs market, improving the prospects for their future careers."