UNEMPLOYMENT has increased in Worcester from this time last year.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the city has increased to 1,050 from 1,025 this time last year, although it has decreased by five since last month.

The number of 18-24 year olds unemployed has gone down by 2% from last year falling to 260.

Duncan Campbell of Jobcentre Plus said: "We are just approaching the Christmas vacancy season, and there is a jobs fair in Malvern Library in September.

"There is also a jobs fair in Worcester during September so we should see a pickup in the next month.

"In Worcester there are a number of exciting projects.

"Brexit has had no major impact on expansion and development in the area so employment should pick up in the coming months."

In Malvern Hills, unemployment was up 9% from last year to 420, an increase of 35, although Mr Campbell did not believe this was down to one particular factor.

He said: "The increase in numbers is down to a seasonal pull or push, nothing significant has caused it.

"It could be to do with a number of different factors."

For 18-24 year olds, the Malvern unemployment figures stand at 116.

In Wychavon unemployment is up 2% from July 2015 to 620 overall and in the 18-24 category it was at 155, the same as it was this time last year.

Overall in the West Midlands, employment for April-June 2016 has increased by 65,000 making a record 2.66million people employed in the area.

Minister for employment Damian Hinds said: "These record-breaking figures show that there are more people in work than ever before, which is great news as we build a Britain that works for everybody not just the privileged few.

“We’re in a position of strength, but we can’t be complacent which is why we’re pressing ahead with our welfare reforms like Universal Credit to ensure it always pays for people to be in work.

“The job now is to build on this success story so that everybody can benefit from the opportunities that are being created regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

The national unemployment rate is 4.9%, the lowest since 2005 and the female employment rate is at 69.6%, the highest since records began in 1971.

The figures were released this morning.