Number of benefit claimants falls (From Worcester News)

Number of benefit claimants falls

11:48am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Elizabeth Sweetman, @lizsweetmanWN #worcsnews

THE number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Worcestershire has continued to fall.

Across Worcestershire, the number of people claiming JSA fell dramatically from 10,114 in November to 9,854 in December.

The number of male claimants fell from 6,640 to 6,555, while the number of women claiming JSA fell from 3,474 to 3,299.

In Worcester, the number of people claiming JSA fell from 2,166 in November to 2,075 in December.

In Malvern Hills, the number of claimants also dropped from 954 to 921, and in Wychavon the number fell from 1,681 to 1,674.

The fall in the number of people claiming JSA also comes after restaurant giant McDonald's announced today it is to create at least 2,500 new jobs this year, taking its UK workforce to 93,500.

The move follows 3,500 new jobs that McDonald's created last year, of which 70 per cent were taken by young people under the age of 21.

McDonald's has added more than 20,000 people to its workforce during the last five years.

The company said its growth has been driven by investment in its restaurants and technology and extended opening hours and menu choice.

Jill McDonald, chief executive of McDonald's UK, said: "While today's job market is hugely competitive, we offer many people their first experience of work and we're focused on doing what we can to help more young people get into quality jobs and careers.

"To help young people get on in life, it's crucial for major employers like us to keep investing in training and people development, because companies like ours can make a big difference through the jobs we create and the support we provide."