EMPLOYMENT and recruitment remain buoyant in York as latest figures show a fall of 11 per cent in the city’s jobless total compared with last year.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said a total of 900 people were claiming unemployment benefits in the York local authority area on August 16, 110 fewer claimants than the year before.

It said there were 185 young people aged 18 to 24 claiming unemployment benefits in the area - a fall of 60, or 24 per cent, compared with 2015.

In the Selby area 710 people were claiming benefits, a fall of five, or one per cent, while among 18 to 24-year-olds there were 180 claimants, and increase of five, or three per cent.

The DWP did not provide figures for Ryedale, saying for the time being the switch to Universal Credit meant the count there did not include all claimants.

Sara Farrar, recruitment and partnership manager for Selby, York and Ryedale Jobcentres, said Christmas recruitment continued to be strong in York, with nearly all major retailers and also cafes and restaurants on the lookout for staff.

To support this Jobcentre Plus held a digital recruitment event to assist claimants in completing online applications and tweaking their CVs.

She said there were “so many jobs in York there truly is something for everyone”, adding it was easier to progress to preferred work while actually in employment, and it was vital to review and update CVs.

Ms Farrar urged employees of William Anelay Ltd, which has gone into administration, to speak to a work coach at the Jobcentre or contact the National Careers Service to find out about the support available to them.