LATEST unemployment figures show that the number of benefit claimants in Bradford district has increased slightly for the first time in a year.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were a total of 24,360 claimants in the district last month – a rise of 0.4 per cent, or 105 people.

A similar rise was experienced in March last year, followed by a gradual fall each month for the subsequent year.

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies, said that behind the figures it was a “difficult time for many workers and families”.

She added: "We’re doing everything we can to help with our Way to Work scheme which is supporting people coming through the doors of our Jobcentres to move into better-paid, higher-skilled work – as well as increasing the national living and minimum wage, all backed up by over £22 billion of targeted investment.”

She said that locally the success of the Government’s Kickstart programme had resulted in over 2,000 young people securing paid placements in Bradford district, and more people were being supported through a Way to Work initiative.

The district has seen a 39 per cent reduction in young people claiming unemployment-related benefits in the last year.