THE latest unemployment figures have shown an increase in the number of people out of work.

The data, released last week, shows that the current number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Herefordshire is 1,215 – 165 more, overall, than the figure for March last year.

However, more young people are in employment. The number of people aged 18 to 24 is 245, a reduction of 40 on last year's figure.

Mike Dzioba, of Jobcentre Plus, said the roll-out of Universal Credit may have had some impact on the figures, although it was difficult, he said, to pinpoint a specific reason for the overall increase.

He said: "There has been nothing specifically in Herefordshire in terms of major redundancies or a major employer leaving the area. It's very difficult to make a specific conclusion as to why that amount has risen slightly."

Nationally, the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.7 per cent. Employment remains at a joint-record high rate of 74.6 per cent, with 31.85 million people now in work.

It is believed that the rise in employment continues to be driven by full-time work. Meanwhile, average weekly wages grew by 2.2 per cent over the last year.