Minister defends benefits tactic as youth jobless total increases

The number of people out of work across the region jumped by 3,000 to 246,000 from the last quarter, while nationally it rose by 7,000 to 2.52m, ending a run of reductions.

The region’s unemployment rate of 9 per cent is second only to the north east’s, where 9.8 per cent are out of work.

Labour said yesterday’s figures had kicked off Budget day with a clear sign Chancellor George Osborne had failed, with rising youth unemployment a particular concern.

The latest quarter to January saw 993,000 jobless 16 to 24-year-olds, up by 48,000 from the three months to October.

The rise among 18 to 24-year-olds was 53,000, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows.

Shadow Work And Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said: “Halfway through the Parliament, Britain is still being scarred by rising unemployment and it is our next generation that is paying a brutal price.”

But Employment Minister Mark Hoban insisted the figures showed the Government was helping people to move off benefits and into work.

Nationally the unemployment rate remained at 7.8 per cent, compared with 8.3 per cent a year ago. The UK jobless total is 152,000 lower than last year and the number of people in work has risen by 590,000 to 29.7m.

The number of people claiming jobseekers’ allowance fell in February by 1,500 to 1.54m, the fourth consecutive monthly reduction.

“There are still tough challenges ahead which is why we’re working hard to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspiration of finding a job,” said Mr Hoban.

Other figures revealed public sector employment fell for the 13th consecutive quarter, by 20,000 to 5.7 million, the lowest for more than decade, while employment in private firms increased by 151,000 to 24m.

Total pay rose by 1.2 per cent in the year to January, down by 0.1 per cent on the month before and less than half the rate of inflation.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Chancellor must change course and prioritise jobs, growth and living standards.”