Jobseekers claims drop for 2nd month in Coventry and Warks

The number of people on the dole across Coventry and Warwickshire has fallen for second month in a row, according to the latest figures.



The Office of National Statistics say there were 19,599 Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in April, 127 fewer than in March.

March saw the first drop in the figures since November and the trend has continued, although it is Warwickshire rather than Coventry that has seen a reduction in April.

The number of women on the dole here has actually risen by 99 – and nationally the figure is at its highest in 14 and a half years.

Overall the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the UK has risen by over 12,000.

Across the West Midlands, the number of people out of work dropped by 6,000 in the first three months of 2011, but there are still over a quarter of a million people looking for a job here, the second worst rate in the UK behind the North-East.

Total unemployment across the country has also fallen - by 36,000 to 2.46 million.

The number of young people out of work is also down.

I'm pretty certain these figures are distorted by:

a) The late Easter affecting the number of school leavers being included.

b) The increasing number of single mothers who can no longer claim income support.