Unemployment hits 12-year high (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Unemployment hits 12-year high

8:10pm Saturday 27th June 2009 in

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UNEMPLOYMENT across the district has reached its highest point since April 1997.

The numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance reached 1,173 in May, although the rate of increase is slowing, with a net increase of only 15 people claiming JSA in May, and six in April, compared to 79 in March and 162 in February.

There was a slight decline in Winchester itself, driven by drops in Stanmore, Winnall, Highcliffe and St Giles’s Hill.

But joblessness rose in Hyde, Abbotts Barton, Teg Down and Weeke.

Council estate areas appear to be recovering slightly, with the problem reaching into the owner-occupier areas.

Winchester Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Martin Tod, said there are still three times as many people claiming JSA as there are job centre vacancies. A year ago there were more vacancies than claimants.