Unemployment falls, says DWP

Of that number, 1,175 are young people (those aged 18 to 24), who the department said have benefitted from an increase in work experience programmes.

Batley and Spen each experienced a 34 per cent drop in unemployment, with a 31 per cent decrease for Dewsbury.

Thirty-five per cent fewer young people in Batley and Spen are looking for work, and 36 per cent in Dewsbury.

Ann Sykes, employment and partnerships manager for the Department of Work and Pensions in Kirklees, said the government’s Youth Contract scheme is helping those aged 18 to 24.

“Work experience helps them to increase their confidence and they then have something to put on their CVs and talk to employers about.

“It shows they can attend on time and demonstrate skills and understand what the world of work is like.

“It has real benefits for the employers and it supports the local community.”

The statistics fall in line with the national trend – the department reported that 736,000 more people are in work than at this time last year. There are 48,000 more working in Yorkshire and the Humber than in 2013.

However, it was not revealed what proportion of the increased workforce are in part-time or temporary jobs.

Ms Sykes said that many choose to take on less hours to accommodate for a better “work/life balance.”

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “All of our reforms are focused on helping people into work and today’s record figures show that the government’s long-term economic plan to help businesses create jobs and get people working again is proving successful.”

Excluding those in full-time education, there are still 468,000 young people unemployed nationally.