Brighton and Hove claimant count falls

The number of people in Brighton and Hove claiming jobseeker’s allowance has fallen for the fourth month in a row.

The number of claimants in June was 6,296, down from 6,376 in May and from 6,959 in February. The February figure was the highest number for almost two years.

The percentage of working age people – 16 to 64-year-olds – claiming the benefit in June was 3.5 per cent, the same as in May.

In the Brighton Kemptown parliamentary constituency the number of claimants was 2,282 in June – a rise of two since May – with the 3.9 per cent rate unchanged.

In Brighton Pavilion the number of claimants in June fell to 2,257, or 3.1 per cent, from 2,271, or 3.2 per cent in May.

In Hove the number of claimants was 2,102, or 3.3 per cent, down from 2,158, or 3.4 per cent, in May.

The most recent unemployment figures present more of a mixed picture.

Across the area served by Brighton and Hove City Council 10,700 people – or 7.6 per cent – were reported to be jobless in the most recent figures. This was down from 10,800 – or 7.7 per cent – in the previous period.

In Brighton Kemptown the number rose from 3,700 to 3,900. In Brighton Pavilion the number rose from 3,400 to 4,000. And in Hove it fell from 3,700 to 3,600.

The unemployment figures are estimates derived from surveys and claimant count numbers.

The claimant count figures tend to underestimate unemployment because not everyone who is unemployed claims jobseeker’s allowance.