THE number of people claiming unemployment benefit and universal credit in Barnsley fell slightly to 5,000 in July, latest monthly figures show.

The figure was a 1.4 per cent drop on the previous month. It was a 40 per cent increase on the same month last year, but a 31 per cent drop when compared to the same month five years ago.

The figure for those aged 18 to 24 claiming the same benefits is now 1,035, which is a 2.8 per cent decrease on the month before, a 29 per cent increase from the same month last year, but a 53 per cent fall compared to five years ago.

Changes to the benefit system mean the figures seem inflated since last year, and many of those included in the figure - more than a third of the total - are in work but claiming universal credit. It includes those who would previously have been working, but on housing benefit or tax credits.

Nigel Coleman, from JobCentre Plus, said: “There’s still a huge amount of recruitment going on in Barnsley. The picture is very healthy.”

The job centre is hosting a number of recruitment events in the coming weeks, and also advertising others happening at venues across Barnsley.