THE number of jobless people in Bolton is continuing to fall, it has been revealed.

The unemployment figures for the town in November have revealed a fall of 40 per cent fall compared with the same period last year.

The latest number of people claiming jobseekers allowance (JSA) is 4,381, against 7,300 in 2013. That figure, thought to be boosted by Christmas job opportunities with employers in the town centre, is also eight per cent down on October’s figure of 4,762.

There are now 2.5 per cent of the town’s working age population jobless, compared with 4.1 per cent a year ago.

There were also encouraging signs for the young unemployed.

Joblessness among 18 to 24-year-olds in the Bolton Metropolitan Borough is down from 950 in October to 820 in November, a fall of 3.1 per cent, and is down 56 per cent on last year’s figure of 1,870.

The manager of Jobcentre Plus for Bolton, Julie Wills, said: “It’s been another good month, with a big reduction in the year on year figure and a fall compared to the previous month.

“We are continuing to work with employers in Bolton with whom we have a really strong relationship.

“We are doing pre-employment training and encouraging people to take voluntary work experience as well as offering our own (in the Department of Work and Pensions or DWP).

“People are finding it really useful in terms of getting themselves getting prepared for working life.”

The brighter picture was also reflected in the regional figures which showed that 38,100 people were claiming JSA in Greater Manchester in November – a decrease of 3,700 (8.8 per cent) when compared with October’s figure of 41,800.

The North West saw a monthly decline of 7.6 per cent, while for Great Britain the fall was 4.6 per cent.

According to New Economy, which delivers policy strategy and research for Greater Manchester, November and December traditionally see a drop in the number of JSA claimants, largely due to the rise in job opportunities associated with the Christmas period.

That festive buoyancy in the local economy was echoed by the manager of Bolton’s shopping complex the Market Place, which is booming despite undergoing refurbishment.

“Footfall is continuing to go up, compared with the same period last year and the numbers of vehicles using the car park is also increasing,” said centre manager Nikki Wilson Cook.

“Although there is development ongoing, we are not seeing any negative impact on our numbers. The feedback I am getting from the outlets in the centre is very positive.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the Conservative Group on Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, described the figures as “fantastic news for Bolton”.

“They show that Bolton is on the move and on the way up,” he said. “It can only been a good think for the businesses looking to locate in Bolton.

“More importantly, the it’s great to see the young unemployment rate falling. Since the Coalition Government took office in 2010, more than one million jobs have been created in the private sector.

“It has also championed apprenticeships, which I know are on the rise in Bolton.”

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, Labour’s executive cabinet member for regeneration and resources, said: “The figures are very pleasing and they indicate that there is a positive impact being made on worklessness.

“The challenge is to ensure we continue to keep an eye on creating a fair balance of jobs in at the higher skills end.

“We are mindful that pay has not kept pace with inflation and that remains a concern.”