Nearly six per cent of people in Bradford are out of work as dole queues top 18,500 across the district.

New figures from the Office of National Statistics show 18,583 people are claiming Job Seekers Allowance, up 452 from the previous month.

Bradford Council’s regeneration chief said the 2.5 per cent rise in unemployment across the district was “extremely serious”.

It means 5.7 per cent of all those of working age across Bradford are now in receipt of the benefit, the highest percentage across West Yorkshire and above the average of 4.6 per cent across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The figures paint a bleak picture for young people with one in nine 18 to 24- year-olds claiming the benefits. Most of the 5,840 young people have been on the benefit less than six months.

Council executive member for regeneration, Councillor David Green, said: “We are seeing and are aware of other businesses in the district have closed or are reducing levels of staff over the past few months and unemployment levels were extremely serious. Now is it becoming critical and we need the Government to step up to the plate and introduce measures to support the local authority in delivering growth.

“We have the regional growth fund and that needs to be signed off as soon as possible but even then that is medium term and we need some real help for businesses to create new jobs now.

“The Council will continue working with the private sector and other public sector agencies to support provision of skills and new jobs but we need recognition from the Government that areas in the north are affect more by their economic policies than areas in the south.”

Nationally the claimant count increased by 1,200 to 1.6 million, the highest for a year after the tenth consecutive monthly rise.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “The overall level of unemployment is, and will remain, a major concern for the Government. The latest figures reflect the current challenging economic climate but also show more women entering the workforce and more students looking to supplement their income through work.”

Labour said the country was in an “unemployment emergency”.