THE number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in York has fallen this month.

A total of 84 people are no longer claiming the benefit.

Figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics (NOMIS), showed that in York in June, 3,239 people were registered for the benefit, 2.4 per cent of the population of York, compared to 3,323 (2.5 per cent) in the previous month.

The figures are also an improvement on the same month last year, when 3,464 (2.6 per cent), were claiming the benefit.

James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “Any reduction in claimants is to be welcomed but we want to see much more significant reductions in the months ahead.

“That is why we are putting plans in place that will help create new jobs, offering those that are unemployed the opportunity to get into work. We want to see job opportunities increase and economic growth.

“Work is the best way to secure people’s welfare for those who are in a position to work, which is why job creation is at the forefront of this Labour council’s priorities.”

In Selby, however, the figures showed little difference to previous months, with 1,488 (2.8 per cent), of the working population claiming Job Seekers Allowance in June, compared to 1,486 in May 2011 and June 2010.

Although only two more people in Selby received the allowance in June than in May, the recent closure of Focus DIY, with the loss of 17 jobs, and dozens of staff at English Village Salads in Camblesforth entering a consultation period after a major supermarket contract was not renewed, could lead to a rise in applications in future.

In Ryedale, the number of people claiming the allowance fell from 649 to 612, up 12 from last year, but at 1.9 per cent, still much lower than the regional average (4.3 per cent), and national average (3.7 per cent).

Across North Yorkshire, figures have dropped slightly, with 89 people across the region moving away from Job Seekers Allowance in June, but the number is still up 48 on the same period last year.

In East Yorkshire, the number of people collecting Job Seekers Allowance last month had fallen from 6,467 in May to 6,308, but both figures were still much higher than at the same time last year, when 5,881people applied for the benefit.

Nigel Adams, the MP for Selby and Ainsty, said that although the figures were similar now to one year ago, recipients in Selby had decreased since February this year, when the figure peaked at 1,641 (3.1 per cent).

He said: “I am pleased that the number of unemployed people in the district is gradually decreasing, and I have also been heartened by the recent announcements by several employers who are looking for more staff in the area.