UNEMPLOYMENT in Tamworth fell by just under six per cent during 2011.

Government figures released yesterday revealed 1,742 residents claimed Jobseekers' Allowance in December 2011.

This is a 5.8 per cent fall through the calendar year from January 2011's total of 1,850.

The seasonal dip in unemployment levels due to temporary employment opportunities over Christmas failed to materialise in Tamworth as unemployment levels actually rose from November to December – although only a small increase of 32 claimants.

The highest monthly claimant count in 2011 was 1,853 in February, the lowest being 1,583 in June.

Progress has been made in lowering the number of long term Jobseekers' claimants, those claiming for more than 12 months.

In January 2011, the figure stood at 240, but in December this fell to 195 claimants.

However, claimants who have been receiving JSA for more than six months rose over the same period from 475 to 575.

And youth unemployment, claimants aged between 18 and 24, has fluctuated through the year, starting at 575 claimants in January, falling to its lowest point in June (480), rising to its highest level of 605 in September, before finishing at 590 in December.