UNEMPLOYMENT in the district has fallen to its lowest January figure in the last decade, according to the latest data released today.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there was a a total of 8,690 people claiming unemployment benefits across the Bradford district last month.

While this is an increase of 1.5 per cent or 125 people on the previous month, the figure is a drop of 3.7 per cent, or 335 people, on the same period a year ago.

The last time the unemployment figures for Bradford dropped below 9,000 in January was in 2008.

The claimant count remained the same at 2.6 per cent across the district, compared to the regional figure of 2.3 per cent and 2.0 per cent nationally, both of which increased marginally on the previous month.

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

Skills manager at Jobcentre in Bradford, Tracy Othen, said: “The figures this month show an increase in employment against the same time last year.

"In our Jobcentres we work to support people with finding work that matches their skills, and suits their circumstances.

"To support our claimants we are holding a Step into Work Bradford event on 7 March 2018 at our Westfield House Jobcentre with both Employers and training providers coming to this for them to talk to and we are planning further events in the coming months.

"We have training partners coming into the office weekly  to give help with digital skills training and with improving jobsearch skills.”

Of the district's five parliamentary constituencies, both Bradford East and Shipley saw the number of claimants remain the same as the previous month, at 2,295 and 885 people respectively.

Meanwhile in both Bradford South and Keighley, claimants rose by 4.0 per cent, to reach 1,825 and 1,050 people respectively.

In Bradford West there were 15 more claimants than in December at 2,635 people, a rise of 0.6 per cent.

In Yorkshire and Humber the claimant count fell by 1,482 on the previous month to 77,327, and nationally the figure was 822,958, a fall of 7,190 over the same time period.

The figures also show that the number of people in work increased nationally by 88,000 to 32.1 million.

Employment Minister Alok Sharma said: "High employment rates are a reliable feature of today's economy - and this is an incredible achievement.

"It is equally important that, across society, everyone has the opportunity to get a good job, and get on in life.

"Today's figures show that this Government is building a fairer economy that supports people from all backgrounds to get into work.

"We are closing the BAME and gender employment gaps, and people across the country are accessing new opportunities."