Unemployment drops over a year

In Kirklees, 6,753 peope are now claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), which is 2,785 fewer people than this time last year – a 29 per cent drop.

There has been a 30 per cent drop in claimants in Dewsbury, with 688 fewer people requiring the benefit than this time last year. The figure now stands at 1,618.

In Batley and Spen, 1,731 people are claiming JSA. This is a 31 per cent drop of 793 people over the last year.

Employment and partnerships manager for the Department of Work and Pensions in Kirklees Ann Sykes said that work experience programmes for the 18-24 age group had often led to permanent positions.

Based on this success, a scheme is being piloted in West Yorkshire to encourage employers to take on older job seekers for work experience

Ms Sykes said: “With the older people the difference is that they have had some work experience but the sectors they previously worked in don’t exist anymore.”