Jobless at 12-year peak

THE number of people claiming out of work benefits in Oldham rose by 315 last month to its highest level since Labour came to power in 1997.

There are now 6,764 jobless men and women in the borough, 5.1 per cent of the working population, compared with the national average of 4 per cent.

Countywide, only Bolton, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Wigan have higher jobless rates.