Total out of work rises again in January

Unemployment up by 48 compared to same time last year

The number of people out of work rose again in January.

Figures from the Cabinet Office show 370 people were unemployed at the end of the month - a rise of 25 on the December figure.

Of the total 252 were male and 118 female.

Taken year on year the January jobless figure was actually 48 higher than the 2024 total, and represented 0.8% of the economically active population.

On the flip side there were more vacancies notified at the Job Centre. The figure of 586 was 35 higher than in December. Of those 361 - or 62% - were full time positions, and 225 - or 38% - were part-time.

The category with the highest number of people out of work was miscellaneous services with 54, followed by construction -both skilled and unskilled - with 44, then came retail distribution with 39, and catering and entertainment with 37.