UNEMPLOYMENT across the district has risen by more than three percent in the last quarter, in contrast to a slight drop across the region.

The latest Government figures, known as the alternative claimant count, have been drawn up in an effort to more accurately show the number of people claiming unemployment benefits following the roll-out of Universal Credit.

The benefit was first introduced in Bradford for new single claimants in 2015, and was fully rolled out by the middle of 2018.

In Bradford there were 16,882 people claiming unemployment-related benefits in the latest quarterly-compiled figures for November.

This compares to 16,351 in August, and is an increase of 3.2 per cent. In contrast across Yorkshire and Humber, there was a 0.2 per cent fall and a 0.7 per cent rise nationally.

When compared to a year ago, the rise in Bradford was 10.4 per cent, there was a negligible rise in the region and a 5.2 per cent rise nationally.

The Department for Work and Pensions, which calculates the figures, has said it fully expects to see higher numbers in the alternative claimant count as the statistics now fully factor in Universal Credit, which replaced a range of different benefits.

But the figures now cover a whole year since the benefit was fully-rolled out across West Yorkshire.

When compared to the figures modelled for previous years, they show a 16.2 per cent rise in Bradford on two years ago and a 17.5 per cent drop on five years ago, so the longer term picture is still a significant decrease.

Across the five constituencies that cover the Bradford district there has been a rise in all five area since August.

Shipley saw the largest increase, of 5.5 per cent to reach a total of 1,427 claimants. This saw an extra 75 people claiming unemployment benefits in the district.

Next, saw a 3.7 per cent rise in Bradford East as 173 more people claimed Universal Credit, to reach a total of 4,906 claimants.

Both Bradford South and Keighley saw rises of 3.4 per cent, an extra 114 and 62 claimants respectively to reach a total of 3,438 and 1,882 people.

There was a 2.1 per cent rise in Bradford West to reach 5,237 claimants, 108 more than in August.

Tracy Othen, partnership manager for the DWP in Bradford, said that Universal Credit claimants are included in the figures even when they go into employment as the entitlement to the benefit is based on how much someone earns.

She described how a person working 16 hours a week, but not reaching the earnings threshold would still entitled to some Universal Credit.

As a result, she added, people are still counted.

She added: "There are an awful lot of things happening in Bradford - we are putting a lot in place to support people who have health conditions, we've had a next generation event to help youth unemployed, and we are holding an event for over 45s next month."

Here to Help events are also offering support all in one place.