Another fall in Jobseeker’s Allowance count

Some of the computer stations for jobseekers in the new Jobcentre Plus facilities at North Kesteven District Council's offices in Sleaford.

This is according to figures released this morning (August 12) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Each month, the ONS publishes data on the number of people claiming JSA. The figures relate to the previous month and can be broken down to local authority.

In this part of the country, the figures dropped from June to July as follows:

- Boston - 570 to 544

- East Lindsey - 1,301 to 1,271

- North Kesteven - 638 to 636

While the drops are relatively small, year on year, the change is more significant with Boston’s count being down by 529, East Lindsey’s by 474, and North Kesteven’s by 240, on July 2014.

The counts soared during the recession, but have been on a downward trend over the past few years and are now at their lowest levels in roughly a decade.

Boston’s next lowest count is 497 in December 2004, East Lindsey’s is 1,246 in August 2005, and North Kesteven’s is 594 in April 2005.