UNEMPLOYMENT dropped to a record low in York last month but increased slightly in North Yorkshire.

Statistics have revealed those claiming Jobseekers Allowance in York stood at 1,232 people in November compared to 1,318 in October.

The number is almost 1,000 fewer than the same time last year, when it stood at 2,133.

Julia Davis, of York’s Job Centre Plus, said: “We have seen another good set of national labour market figures. On a local level in York we have hit record lows with unemployment levels at 0.9 per cent.

“In particular, in York youth unemployment has fallen by just over 15 per cent in this last month.

“Work experience has played a large part in the drop, it has offered young people the opportunity to gain experience in the work place while providing them with supporting work evidence for their and CV and of course a much-needed reference.”

However, the number of claimants in North Yorkshire crept up by 79 in November to 3,919.

The amount of people in receipt of the benefit has reduced dramatically compared to the same time last year when 6,371 people were signed up to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Across the whole county, there were a total of 302 registered in Ryedale, which is an increase of 26, but a fall of 205 since November of last year.