UNEMPLOYMENT across Bradford has fallen by 17 per cent in the last year, according to the latest figures.

The Office for National Statistics has released the claimant count for October, which is 21,985 for the district.

While this is a small rise on the previous month of 100 people, it is a fall of 4,615 claimants on the same time last year.

The rate has remained the same for the past few months, at 6.6 per cent, compared to 3.9 per cent regionally and 3.6 per cent nationally.

Fran Innes, employer and partnership manager for Bradford Jobcentres, said that they were running a series of smaller jobs fairs each week to help employers recruit and fill vacancies.

She said: “Jobcentre work coaches are busy focussing on helping employers fill their seasonal and permanent vacancies hospitality, driving, production, manufacturing and care.

“The changes to Universal Credit and the older workers’ offer means we can help even more claimants receive intensive support, to help them get into work and seize opportunities to increase their job prospects and pay.”

She said they were currently supporting WY Police to recruit PCSO through a sector-based academy programme which has proved highly popular.

In addition, they have officially launched a youth hub, called Keighley Vibe, to support young people into employment.

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