Jobseekers claims in Coventry & Warwickshire rise sharply

[dutchman]

The number of people on benefits across Coventry and Warwickshire has risen sharply, according to the latest figures.



The Office of National Statistics say there were 19,343 Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in January, 1,118 more than in December.

It bucks a steady trend through 2010 of falling claims.

Across the West Midlands, the jobless total between October and December 2010 was 261,000 – or 9.8%.

The figure means the region is now the UK’s second-worst area in terms of employment performance, only behind the North East.

Total unemployment in the UK has also risen – by 44,000 to 2.49 million.

Average earnings increased by 1.8% in the year to December, 0.3% down on the previous month.