UNEMPLOYMENT in York rose slightly for the fourth month running in February — but the jobless figure is still only marginally worse than a year ago.

Latest statistics show 3,682 people in the city claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance last month, or 2.7 per cent, of those eligible.

The figure was up by 79 on the 3,603 claimants, or 2.6 per cent, in January, but was only 27 higher than in February last year.

In contrast, the number of claimants in Yorkshire and Humber rose to five per cent of those eligible last month from 4.4 per cent in February last year, and the number nationally increased from 3.8 per cent to 4.1 per cent.

However, York council leader James Alexander said stable levels of jobless people were “not something to be satisfied about”, and claimed women and young people continued to be hit hard by Government economic policies.

“I want to see levels falling, which is why we are doing everything we can to stimulate the economy by bringing new jobs to York,” he said, adding that the city’s Economic Infrastructure Fund would support economic growth and jobs locally.

In North Yorkshire, the number of claimants rose from 10,615, or 2.8 per cent, in January to 10,856, or 2.9 per cent, last month, which compared with 10,003, or 2.7 per cent, in February last year.

In the East Riding of Yorkshire, the jobless figure rose from 7,531, or 3.6 per cent, in January to 7,607, also 3.6 per cent, in February, which compared with 6,723, or 3.2 per cent, in February last year.

The figure rose in Selby from 1,711, or 3.2 per cent, in January to 1,733 in February, which compares with 1,652 in February last year, while in Ryedale the number of claimants rose from 748 in January to 761 last month, compared with 751 in February last year.