BOLTON was given a massive boost today with the creation of 300 new jobs.

Call centre experts, Vertex, have created the posts after securing a contract with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The announcement comes as figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show unemployment in Bolton has fallen by a massive 15 per cent in the last two months, while nationally, it is at a six-year high.

Vertex, which is based in Manchester Road, currently employs 1,200 staff and has a lucrative contract with energy and water company United Utilities.

The new deal with the DWP will see the company handle calls for the Child Support Agency along with its existing work for the government department.

It means that Vertex, which is the UK's third largest business process company with 9,000 employees in 60 locations across the UK, will become one of the town's largest employers.

Vertex public sector managing director Andrew Warren said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this work which further expands our expertise in this area, having already successfully managed several contracts for government agencies in the past.

"We will draw from our wide experience of customer management, by helping to improve efficiency and performance on behalf of our client."

Kirsty Rawlinson, local policy manager for Bolton at Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "The creation of 300 new jobs is a terrific boost for Bolton. Coupled with the latest unemployment figures it shows there is real confidence in the local economy. It also proves to the rest of the country that Bolton is a place which has the infrastructure and skills that major companies need."

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east added: "It is splendid news about the new jobs at Vertex. It shows the company's commitment to the town, and congratulations to all concerned, including Bolton Council, who do such a good job of promoting the town as a investment destination."

The news was complemented by yesterday's ONS figures, which showed that the total number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in Bolton is now 4,069, a huge drop of 15 per cent in two months, the equivalent of 742 people going back into work.

Bolton's JSA claimants now represent 2.5 per cent of the town's potential workforce, which is lower than both the North-west average of 2.8 per cent, and the national average of 2.6 per cent.

Overall, Bolton's unemployment rate stands at 4.3 per cent, still below the regional average of 4.7 per cent, and the national average of 5.3 per cent. Nationally, unemployment rose by 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, its highest level since 2000.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, Bolton Council's executive member for development said: "Today's news is tremendously encouraging. The figures show that the policies of this Labour Government and the progressive approach of the council are paying dividends.

"We are determined to break the cycle of benefit dependency as the world of work is the surest path to a more prosperous future".

Vertex added that although the contract length is for 21 months, its expanding range of blue-chip clients should enable it to retain the new staff when the contract ends.

BOLTON JOB FACTS: Number of Jobseekers Allowance Claimants in Bolton at end of August: 4,069 - down 15pc Percentage of Jobseekers Allowance Claimants as percentage of Bolton workforce: 2.5 Number of jobs created in Bolton over past eight weeks: 327 (including 120 at Dunelm Mill) Number of incoming jobs: 200 by December at Regenda Housing, Barton House, Horwich Number of jobs lost over past eight week: 311 (including 158 at Sandusky Walmsley)

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