Jobless rate reveals UK split

Unemployment in Oldham has fallen by 399 in the last month - in line with national trends.

The total number of people out of work is 7,078, the lowest since June 2011.

The August figures show 326 men and 73 women found jobs in the period — meaning the local jobless total fell for the sixth month running.

Five per cent of people in Oldham of working age are out of work - the third highest of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs. The Greater Manchester average is 4.4 per cent and the national average is 3.4 per cent.

Regional figures highlight a north–south divide in the jobs market, with areas such as the North- East and North-West continuing to see higher levels of unemployment — up 5,000 and 13,000 respectively compared with the previous quarter.

In contrast, there were declines of 29,000 in the South-East and 7,000 in London.