Unemployment rises in West Berkshire

January figures show that 88 more people in West Berkshire claimed unemployment benefit than in December

WEST Berkshire has seen a rise in unemployment in the New Year, according to the latest statistics.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today (Wednesday) show that 1,849 people (1.9 per cent of the working population) claimed unemployment benefits in January - 88 more than in December.

However, the number of claimants is down by 453 on the same time last year.

Of the claimants, 1,222 were men (2.5 per cent of the working popluation) and 627 were women (1.3 per cent of the working population).