THE number of jobless people in Bolton has gone up slightly since last month despite the biggest annual fall in unemployment nationally since records began 40 years ago.

There were 4,998 people out of work and claiming benefit in September, compared to 4,604 in August.

But the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) pointed out that the September figure is 2,769 less than in the same period in 2013, an annual fall locally of about 35 per cent.

Sue Timperley, manager of the Jobcentres in Bolton, said the unemployment rate in the town now stands at six per cent – a six-year low – compared to 7.7 per cent last year.

She said: “We’ve seen another set of strong figures. Nationally, there are now 736,000 more people in work than a year ago.

“It’s the largest fall in unemployment since records began. Claimants fell by 400,000 on the year previous.”

Ms Timperley said that the local jobless included 1,070 people aged between 18 and 24.

“There is an improving local economy and work experience is proving to be a factor,” she said.

Ms Timperley said the DWP was undertaking a big recruitment exercise locally in order to take on staff for 18-month contracts.

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling welcomed the year-on-year fall, but said the figures were unlikely to give the true picture of the “actual number” of jobless people.

“The figures are based on the number of claimants, but the DWP operate such pernicious procedures by sanctioning people – suspending their benefits – there are lots of people out of work who are not in receipt of benefit,” she said.

Ms Hilling’s comments were echoed by Bolton South East MP and Labour colleague Yasmin Qureshi, who said: “Everyone welcomes an increase in employment. What’s really important is that we have people being paid properly.”