Horsham’s unemployment not ‘bucking the trend’ after slight rise

In figures by the Office of National Statistics 560 people were said to be claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the town last month.

The total shows an eight per cent increase on Decembers figures where 520 people were out of work.

It was also announced there has been a six per cent increase in young people between 18 and 24 claiming the benefit with an slight jump from 80 to 85 claimants.

But Paul Niner, partnership manager for the JobCentre Plus in Horsham, said these figures are not ‘bucking the trend’ of what is expected at this time of year with a slight increase always likely after the busy Christmas period.

He said: “It is a slight increase on Decembers results but that is to be expected.

“It only happens because of the Christmas period and everyone taking temporary Christmas jobs. It is not bucking the trend and we would not expect the figures to be going down.”

Despite the slight increase in both totals over the past month the figures show a dramatic fall on last years jobless total.

The amount of people in Horsham claiming Jobseekers Allowance is down by 35 per cent since last January, whilst for young people in the town the total has fallen by almost 39 per cent over the year.

The figures for the county show a similar pattern.

In January 5,240 people were claiming the allowance, up by five per cent on the previous month but showing a decrease of around 33 per cent over the year.

The number of young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance was also up on last months total in the county, rising by three per cent with 980 claimants.

This however, was a drop of around 40 per cent on last years results.