UNEMPLOYMENT in the district has risen for the first time in ten months, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics, shows that across Bradford there were a total of 24,660 people claiming benefits in February.

This is a small rise of 395 claimants, or 1.4 per cent more than the January figure.

It comes as the claimant figures have steadily dropped since March last year, when the number of claimants reached a pandemic high of 32,190.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the figures were 17,090 in March 2020.

Angela McVay, of the Department for Work and Pensions in Bradford, described how jobcentres in Bradford are recruiting on the spot for key industries, through Way to Work, a national push to help even more people.

"In Bradford we are offering a range of services to both employers looking to recruit and train people into their businesses and people predominantly on Universal Credit who are actively looking to move into work. We’re focusing on working with local employers to rapidly match up their vacancies with the right jobseekers inviting businesses into our Jobcentres."

Jobsfairs are being run every month across all the Jobcentres in the area, with more than 100 jobseekers attending a care industry specific event last month.

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