UNEMPLOYMENT figures in York are continuing their downward trend as numbers hit their lowest point in nearly five years.

Figures released yesterday revealed the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in August dropped to 2,451.

The number, which is the equivalent of 1.8 per cent of the city’s working population, is 39 fewer then it was the previous month, and 802 fewer than August 2012. Beating the national average, which is 3.3 per cent, York along with North Yorkshire is the second best performing local authority in the region, beaten only be Ryedale where only 1.6 per cent of the population are claiming Jobseekers.

Coun James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “It is very good news that the number of unemployed in York has fallen again. This is especially pleasing as the last seven years have seen an increase in claimants between the months of July and August due to seasonal factors so this month’s figures represent a welcome change. This news is testament to the work of partners and the private sector to grow the economy and increase the number of job opportunities for York residents.”

York’s number of claimants is the lowest it has been seen November 2008 when the figure stood at 2,426. Since that time figures peaked at 4,134 in February 2010.

In Selby the number of claimants in August dropped by 26 from July to 1,176, resulting in a percentage of 2.2 for two consecutive months. That figure is down from 2.8 per cent in August 2012. Scarborough and the East Riding are the two local authorities in the area with the highest percentage of claimants.

In Scarborough 3.4 per cent of working age people claim Jobseekers Allowance. The figure is a drop of 0.1 per cent from July, and 0.7 lower than August 2012. In the East Riding the number of people fell from July by 132, though the percentage of people claiming remained at 2.7 per cent, a fall from 3.3 per cent in August 2012.