Jobless figures drop again

OLDHAM has again reported a drop in joblessness figures:

A total of 2,305 people - 1,380 men and 925 women - claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance in August, 39 fewer than in July.

The number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit has also fallen in the past 12 months, down by 420 (nine per cent) to 4,517.

Nationally, unemployment rose for the third successive month — the first time it has happened since 2011 — with an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent.