Last updated at 15:00, Wednesday, 17 October 2012

THE number of people trapped in long term unemployment is continuing to rise across south and west Cumbria - but the overall number on the dole is falling.

People claiming out of work benefits for more than a year has risen to 505 in Barrow (up 30), to 490 in Copeland (up 20) and stayed the same at 130 across South Lakeland as people compete for every job vacancy.

Youth unemployment has also risen across Barrow to 625 (up 25) and to 595 in Copeland (up 10). Across South Lakeland the number of 18 to 24 year olds on the dole fell to 205 (down 15), the Office of National Statistics figures show.

However, overall numbers on the dole are starting to fall. Last month Copeland's claimant count was 1,570 (down 25) and South Lakeland's 780 (down 50). Barrow saw an increase of 25 to 1,815.

Nationally the number claiming JSA fell 1.57 million in September.

Unemployment fell by 50,000 to 2.53 million in the three months to August.

Employment reached a record high of almost 30 million, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.9 per cent.

Minister for Employment Mark Hoban said: "It's a real landmark to see more people in work than ever before. Despite the tough economic times the private sector continues to create jobs and our welfare reforms are encouraging people to return to work - with 170,000 fewer people on the main out of work benefits than in May 2010.

"The big fall in youth unemployment is particularly welcome, but we know this remains a challenge which is why we have the £1 billion Youth Contract offering nearly 500,000 work experience places, apprenticeships and wage incentives to help young people get a job."

Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said the fall was a "welcome chink of light in a very bleak economic outlook".

"There are now red flashing lights warning that Britain is becoming a very divided country," he said.

"Long-term unemployment has risen yet again. The number of young people out of work and claiming benefits for more than a year went up yet again, and three-quarters of Britain has higher unemployment than at the election. More than a third of people out of work have been jobless for more than a year in the clearest sign yet that the Work programme is not doing the job."

According to the ONS there are 235 jobs being advertised across Barrow, 290 in Copeland and 891 in South Lakeland.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron described the figures as 'encouraging' but said more needs to be done to raise wage levels in South Lakeland.

He said: "This announcement of another month where the unemployment levels have dropped is extremely encouraging news for our local economy and for the South Lakes population. But it only tells half the story. Although unemployment is low; wages here are often low too as the South Lakes employs a higher percentage of seasonal workers than most other places in the region. This is why I am focused on work that will bring well paid jobs and apprenticeships to our community."

First published at 12:19, Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk