4,971 People in Borough Claim Jobseeker's Allowance

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September figures show monthly rise of over 100

The latest labour market statistics show that in September, 4,971 people in Hammersmith and Fulham claimed Jobseeker's Allowance.

This figure, released last week by the Office for National Statistics is up over 100 on the August figure of 4,857, but down over 600 from September last year, when the total of claimants in H & F reached an all time high of 5,596.

These latest figures mean the percentage of unemployed people in the borough claiming Jobseeker's Allowance is now 4%, which is in line with the overall London percentage, but well above the current national rate of 3.5%.

The numbers in Hammersmith and Fulham include 3,135 males and 1,836 females.

The majority - 3,130 - were aged 25 - 49 and around the same number - 3,010 - were out of work for less than six months.

1,040 were out of work for between six and 12 months and 920 were out of work for more than a year.

Across the country, the total number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in September rose to 1.47 million, up by 5,300 on the previous month.

Despite this, the latest statistics published by the Office for National Statistics show that employment rose by 178,000 and unemployment fell by 20,000 last month.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “Another rise in employment is a step in the right direction but clearly our priority is to get the economy motoring again, reduce the deficit and make the UK an attractive place for investment to encourage growth."

Here are the numbers of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in local London boroughs:

Brent 9,163
Ealing 8,784
Hammersmith and Fulham 4,971
Kensington and Chelsea 3,440
Kingston upon Thames 2,013
Richmond upon Thames 2,115
Wandsworth 6,070
Westminster 5,068

October 26, 2010