NEW figures have revealed low levels of unemployment across York and North Yorkshire.

Business leaders said the region's diverse economy helped people secure jobs.

The county comes out well compared with the rest of the country, with the level of jobseekers claiming benefits only half the national average.

The latest data, released by North Yorkshire County Council, reveal 1.2 per cent of the working-age population are claiming unemployment benefit.

York fares particularly well, with a below-average 0.9 per cent rate.

In Yorkshire and Humberside as a whole, 2.5 per cent of people are on benefits. Across the entire country, 2.4 per cent of people are out of work.

Selby remains one of the worst parts of the county, with 688 people claiming benefits - 1.5 per cent of the total population.

Scarborough comes at the bottom of the regional table, with 2.2 per cent of the town's adult population - more than 1 in 50 - on benefits.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the strength and diversity of the region's economy was responsible for the low unemployment.

He said: "Diversity is increasing, meaning there is no overdependence on one particular sector.

"The corollary to these figures is that many businesses have trouble recruiting staff with the right level of skills. That is particularly the case in the knowledge and hospitality sectors, because standards are rising.

"The bar keeps on getting higher and many employers are still struggling to get the right skills."

David Cox, retail representative for the York branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The more people that are in work the better the benefit is to the economy - and to families across the region. This is great news for York and North Yorkshire.

Who's claiming

Hambleton - 494 claimants - one per cent

Harrogate - 823 claimants - 0.9 per cent

Ryedale - 296 claimants - one per cent

Scarborough - 1,320 claimants - 2.2 per cent

Selby - 688 claimants - 1.5 per cent

York - 1,656 claimants - 0.9 per cent

Updated: 10:11 Wednesday, August 24, 2005