UNEMPLOYMENT in the district fell to a 2016 low in December, according to the latest figures released today.

Seasonal work helped the total number of people in Bradford claiming unemployment benefits last month reach 8,845, down by 2.4 per cent on the previous month's figure of 9,065.

It also represents a slight rise of 0.8 per cent on the same time the previous year, and a significant 27.6 per cent fall on two years ago.

The unemployment rate remains the same at 2.7 per cent, compared to 2.1 per cent regionally and 1.8 per cent nationally.

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 the continuing fall was to be expected, but that many temporary jobs would be ending this month.

"Hopefully we can get these people back into some employment as quickly as possible."

She added the new weekly jobs hour which they are now hosting on Twitter on Fridays had been very successful with more than 60 vacancies posted to the @JCPBradford account when it began last week.

Figures fell across all of the district’s five parliamentary constituencies, with Shipley recording the biggest percentage fall at 3.7 per cent down, or 35 fewer people than the previous month, with a total of 925 claimants.

Bradford East saw a fall of 3.0 per cent of 75 people, to reach 2,455.

In Bradford West the number of claimants fell by 2.7 per cent or 75 people, with a total of 2,685 claimants.

Bradford South saw a drop of 1.4 per cent, or 25 people, to reach 1,775.

Meanwhile, in Keighley, there was a drop of 1.0 per cent or 10 people, to reach 1,005.

Local MP Kris Hopkins said: “It is very good news that Keighley and Ilkley residents are continuing to find work, bringing great benefit to their lives and helping our economy.

“It is also worth noting that average weekly earnings increased by 2.7 per cent over the last 12 months meaning those in work are taking more money home.

“But we must continue to maintain our efforts to enable more people to enter employment or training.”

In Yorkshire and Humber the claimant count was 75,900, a fall of 2,000 on the previous month and a drop of 700 on the previous year.

In addition 2.6 million people were in work in the quarter to November, up by 43,000 on the previous three months, and up by 92,000 on the year.

Employment Minister, Damian Hinds, said: “There’s good news in Yorkshire and the Humber, where there is a record of just under 2.6 million people in work with a record number of 1.23 million women in work as well.

“We have made real progress creating a strong economy and helping more people into work, and will do what is needed to continue that trajectory as we build a country that works for everyone.”

Nationally unemployment fell to its lowest total for more than a decade, but the number of people in work also fell.

The jobless total was 1.6 million in the quarter to November, down by 52,000 on the previous three months to its lowest since early 2006.

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