Slight rise in district unemployment

Figures show that 1,803 people claimed unemployment benefit last month - 22 more than in June

THE number of people claiming unemployment benefit in West Berkshire increased slightly last month.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today (Wednesday) reveal that 1,803 people (1.8 per cent of the district's working population) claimed unemployment benefit in July - 22 more people than in June.

Of these, 1,177 were men (2.4 per cent of the working population) and 626 were women (1.3 per cent of the working population).

The figures show that despite the increase, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit last month was still 129 fewer than in July last year.