UNEMPLOYMENT across the district has fallen slightly for the second month in a row.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows there were 30,925 people in Bradford district claiming unemployment benefits last month.

The figure compares to 31,995 in April and 32,190 the previous month.

But despite the drop, the number of claimants remains 81 per cent up compared to March last year when the first lockdown began.

Analysis by Centre for Cities shows that whilst unemployment levels have fallen, Bradford still has the second highest claimant count nationally – behind only Birmingham.

Fran Innes, lead partnership manager at the Department for Work and Pensions, said the department was “incredibly busy” in Bradford district at present providing guidance and support to those seeking employment.

She said a ‘youth hub’ had recently opened in Bradford and that another was due to be launched soon in Keighley.

Also, the Government’s restart programme for people who have been out of work for 12 to 18 months is due to begin at the end of this month.

And she said so-called Live Lounges were being held to support people applying for vacancies through the Government’s Kickstart scheme, which is aimed at 16-to-24-year olds.

She added: “We’ve had employers in to talk to young people at the Live Lounges around what the expectations are and to give them some extra support.

“We’ve had really good feedback on that.

“We’re going to continue with the sessions throughout this month and next.”

Speaking about the youth hub, she said: “We’ve opened-up a youth hub in Bradford with Department for Work and Pensions work coaches situated within it.

“We’ve got a collective of partners that are all involved in the youth hub.

“So, there’s a really good range that meets the needs of our customers.”

She added that they were continuing with sector-based work academy programmes.

Currently the programmes cover areas such as the care industry, hospitality, warehousing, bakery, security and digital communications.

She said there was no update as yet on plans, revealed last month, for three new job centres across the district – one to be housed in Keighley and two in Bradford.

Keighley’s facilities are presently based at Worth House, in Worth Way.