The number of people joining dole queues across Bradford is continuing to rise as unemployment reached a 17-year high.

Across the district 18,202 people are claiming out of work benefits up from 17,900 the previous month and 16,967 in July.

The increases pushes the percentage of people across the district able to work to 5.6 per cent compared with 4.6 per cent across Yorkshire and the Humber and a national rate of 3.9 per cent.

Nationally claimant count increased by 17,500 to 1.6 million, the seventh consecutive monthly rise. In addition unemployment increased by 114,000 to 2.57 million, the worst figure since the autumn of 1994, the Office of National Statistic figures released yesterday show.

Councillor David Green, who has responsibility for regeneration and the economy, said: “Any increase in unemployment is really concerning and it shows the importance of the Council and its partners taking forward its plans for skills development and ensuring we secure new jobs for people of the district to counteract the national economic recession.”

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “We are seeing the effect of the international economic crisis on the UK labour market.”

In a bid to draw attention away from the figures, the Government announced a plan for sector-based work academies across the UK.

The new academies will offer a combination of training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview for up to 50,000 people over the next two years, with many going to young people, ministers say.

There are 1,785 jobs being advertised on job centre boards across Bradford.

I have to survive on £30 a week

Dean Hill has been searching for work since he was laid off from his factory job in Malton shortly before last Christmas.

The 24-year-old was made homeless while living in North Yorkshire in spring and required a crisis loan so he could save up some money and move back to Bradford.

Mr Hill, who has applied for at least 40 jobs since being made redundant and looks for work every day, said because of the loan, his benefits have now been reduced from £102 every two weeks to £62 – leaving him struggling to cope.

He said: “I struggle to feed myself, I have had rapid weight loss – I have lost two and a half stone in about four months.

“I’m absolutely desperate for work”

Mr Hill, who now lives in Undercliffe, said he is looking for work across Yorkshire.

He said: “I look for jobs every day, it’s really hard. In the last seven months I have applied for at least 40 jobs, and not just in Bradford, but all over Yorkshire.

“There’s nothing in Bradford.

“You have got to have some sort of trade or lots of experience.”