THE number of people out of work in Worcester has stalled after rising for the first time in a year.

According to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures, there were 2,630 people in the city claiming out of work benefits in March - the last available month of data.

This is the same figure as the previous month, which was up on the 2,505 figure in January.

Prior to the rise there had been a year of consecutive falls, and 2,550 claimed in December.

But March’s figure is down on a year ago when, that March, 3,770 claimed out of work benefit.

And in comparison, in March 2020 as the pandemic began, 1,780 claimed in the Worcester constituency.

In the West Worcestershire constituency, which includes Malvern, 1,590 people were out of work in March.

This was a drop on the 1,650 who claimed in February, and 1,595 people who claimed in January.

In March 2021, 2,485 people claimed, while in March 2020 1,085 people claimed.

And in the Mid-Worcestershire constituency, which includes Evesham and Pershore, 1,990 claimed out of work benefit, the same amount as February, which had risen above January’s 1,910 figure.

In March 2021 2,865 people claimed in the constituency while in March 2020 1,135 people claimed.

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, said: "The claimant count figures for this March in my constituency remain broadly flat.

"This represents just 3.2 per cent of the population aged 16-64 – well below the UK wide rate of 4.2 per cent.

"Overall, it is clear that the local economy in our part of Worcestershire remains strong.

"I know that the government’s Plan for Jobs contains a number of excellent measures to help people find work.

"I will continue to work with colleagues across national and local government to ensure local people are getting the support they need.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “I welcome the continued strength of the job market. 

"There are a record number of vacancies and lots of support from the job centre to help people find them.

“Of course, every unemployed person is one too many and I remain eager to help anyone who needs specific help or assistance navigating the benefits system.”

Worcester's MP Robin Walker was asked for comment.