Sharp rise in unemployment

Firgure jumps by 75 in December

New government figures show unemployment rose sharply last month – jumping from 786 to 861. 

The rise gives an unemployment rate of 1.9 per cent for December, although the Economic Affairs Division of the Cabinet Office says it’s the lowest December figure since 2010. 

Statistics show 69 per cent of those looking for work are men, and just 39 people were aged under 18. 

And the data shows around 150 full-time jobs were available at the jobcentre at the end of the month.