THE number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in York has fallen for the ninth consecutive month.

There were 2,133 claimants last month, a fall of 62 from October and 835 since November last year.

Only 1.6 per cent of the city’s working population is now claiming JSA, the lowest since September 2008. The figure contrasts with a regional average of 3.8 per cent and a national average of 2.9 per cent.

The number of claimants in North Yorkshire fell by 36 from October to 6,371, or 1.7 per cent of those eligible to claim, down by more than 2,000 on November last year.

However, the number of claimants in East Riding of Yorkshire rose by 17 to 5,225 or 2.6 per cent, but this was still down by almost 1,500 on November last year.

In Selby district, the number of JSA claimants fell by eight from October to 1,072, or two per cent of those eligible, while the number in Ryedale rose by 13 to 507, or 1.6 per cent of those eligible.

York council leader James Alexander said York was continuing to outperform the country and region in tackling unemployment and he was pleased council investment in the city’s economy and its partnership with York’s private sector was beginning to pay off.

He said: “It is also good to see that York is continuing its progression towards pre-recession levels of unemployment, something which the council is striving to reach as soon as possible.”

Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams who organised the successful October Selby Jobs Fair said: “It is great news that there are almost 600 more people in work in my constituency since the 2010 election. That’s more people getting a regular pay packet, giving them the chance to give themselves and their family a more secure future.”

“Of course there is still more to do, but these figures show that the Conservative’s long-term plan to fix the economy is working here in Selby by getting people off benefits and into work.