UNEMPLOYMENT benefit claimant numbers have risen in Whitchurch since this time last year.

The latest monthly Department of Work and Pensions figures show that there were 445 claimants in June, compared to 395 last year.

The overall figure for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin this year was 4,065, compared to 3,840 in June 2017.

Louise Johnson, employer advisor manager for Shropshire, said that this increase was because of Universal Credit replacing several types of benefits, so claimants who would not previously have been included now are because they claim UC.

She added that the Jobcentre is helping a national retail firm recruit for positions in Whitchurch.

The women’s employment rate has remained at a joint record high of 71.3 per cent.

Minister of state for employment, Alok Sharma, said: “It’s fantastic that we have another record high in overall employment and the female employment rate has never been higher, with more people in work than ever before.

“Importantly, it’s good see that wages are continuing to outpace inflation. And it’s worth remembering that of the over three million increase in employment since 2010, 75 per cent is full-time and permanent, and around 70 per cent is in higher skilled occupations which generally attract higher wages.”