Dole queues across Bradford have shortened again but will start to rise once cuts in funding for the district announced this week start to kick in, experts have warned.

Monthly figures from the Office of National Statistics show the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance across the district stands at 15,011 compared with 15,191 in October.

It means 4.6 per cent of those able to work across Bradford are now claiming the benefit, compared with four per cent across Yorkshire and Humber and 3.5 per cent across the UK.

The proportion of people claiming the benefit is 4.3 per cent claiming in Calderdale, 4.1 per cent in Leeds, 4.1 per cent in Kirklees and 3.8 per cent in Wakefield. Nationally the number of people claiming JSA in November fell slightly by 1,200 to 1.46 million.

Mike Cartwright, of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “Any reduction in the local unemployment figures is welcomed and we would like to see that trend continue over the medium and long term.

“But there is a lot of uncertainty if that will be the case given the public sector job cuts and what is going to happen in the New Year.”

The figures come days after Government announced it is slashing Bradford Council’s budget by millions.

Councillor Dave Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “The effects we estimate as a result of the Spending Review are that 7,500 jobs will go in the public and private sector.

“Along with the growing population of Bradford, which makes it unique, we are going to be quite up against it to maintain the current levels of employment and unemployment.

“But as a Council we will do all we can and are refocusing the Council’s work to take on the challenges ahead.”