THE number of people out of work in York, North and East Yorkshire is continuing to fall and remains below the national average unemployment rate, according to the latest figures.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in York and North Yorkshire has been declining since 2010 and in particular in the past year, newly released figures show.

The number of JSA claimants in York fell from 3,248 in July last year to 2,490 this year – only 1.9 per cent of the city’s working population. The figure is the lowest July percentage in five years.

In North Yorkshire only 1.9 per cent of people eligible for work are claiming JSA, with numbers falling by more than 2,000 from 8,985 to 6,964.

City of York council leader James Alexander said: “It’s very good news that the number of unemployed in York has fallen again to reach the lowest July figure in years. This time of year normally sees an increase, so the news that figures have fallen recognises the council’s work with the private sector to grow the economy and increase the number of job opportunities for York residents.”

The claimant count for East Yorkshire was the lowest in almost five years.

In total 5,545 people – 2.7 per cent of the county’s population -– are claiming JSA compared to 7,607 people when the unemployment rate peaked in February 2012 with 3.7 per cent of people claiming JSA.

In Selby district the number of unemployed people was down from 2.8 per cent last July to 2.2 per cent last month.

Ryedale reported the lowest unemployment figures, with 1.5 per cent of the working population in the area claiming JSA compared to two per cent in July last year.

Nationally 3.4 per cent of the working population are claiming JSA. The figure has dropped only 0.4 per cent since July 2012.

Yorkshire and the Humber’s unemployment rate has also fallen by 0.4 per cent, to 4.4 per cent, from 4.8 per cent in July 2012.