Unemployment figures fall in Kirklees

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 9,092 people in the district were claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in May.

The number has dropped by 446 in the space of one month - a decline of 4.7 per cent.

Department for Work and Pensions employer and partnership manager Ann Sykes said the drop was mirrored across all towns in the district, including Batley and Dewsbury.

“It is a significant drop and it has continued the trend over the last couple of months,” she said.

“A big focus has been on working with young people to help them find work.

“There were 2,385 young people aged between 18 and 24 looking for work in May, which had dropped by 185 from the previous month.”

Mrs Sykes accredited the fall in the number of residents claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance to a partnership scheme launched by the Job Centre.

They have been working with local businesses actively looking to hire new staff.

Batley-based firm Fox’s Biscuits is one of the businesses to have joined the scheme.

Mrs Sykes said: “The job centre looks at businesses’ needs and the type of staff they require.

“We then work with those looking for work and up-skill them for the roles.

“We provide short training programmes and give them a period of work experience at the business, which gives them an understanding of what the business is about.

“Following that they are given a guaranteed job interview, which gives them a really good chance to be successful.”