FIGURES released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) show the number of jobseekers claiming benefits across Bromsgrove as 1,520- an 18 per cent decrease on last year.
Of those, 265 are aged between 18 and 24 while 380 are aged over 50.
However, the number of people claiming benefits has increased by 138 per cent from five years ago and is up 19 per cent from 2010.
Caroline Raybould, Employment Lead for Worcestershire, said: “JobCentres have had an extremely busy year, working hard directly with employers to fill their vacancies with the right people.
“We’ve supported jobseekers to develop their skills, whilst also helping people to progress in their careers.”
She added sector-specific jobs fairs included logistics, manufacturing, administration and care where the DWP was also working with The National Careers Service to deliver Sector Based Work Academies.
These were aimed at filling the wide range of exciting vacancies currently available across the Civil Service.
