UNEMPLOYMENT across Bradford has risen slightly according to new figures.

The data from the Office for National Statistics shows that there were 22,210 people claiming out-of-work benefits in Bradford in June.

This follows a drop the previous month in May. It means that the figure for June is back above 22,000.

It equates to a rise of 1.4 percent or 305 claimants.

In addition, the claimant count rate is 6.6 per cent, which compares to a rate of 4.1 regionally and 3.7 per cent nationally.

This time last year, the number of people on out-of-work benefits was 22,855, so the latest figure is a fall of 2.8 per cent.

Fran Innes, senior partnership manager for the Department for Work and Pensions in Bradford, said of the figures: “Although there has been a slight rise in youth unemployment in the last 12 months overall there is a 3 per cent reduction in the claimant count in the last 12 months.

“Although job density in Bradford is lower than West Yorkshire figures, recent figures show that employment growth is strong across Bradford.

“Combined with a 150 per cent increase in online job postings in Bradford when compared to 2019 demonstrates positive growth in the labour market.”