UNEMPLOYMENT across Dorset is substantially down on last year as the country heads into recession.

There were 7,660 people unemployed and claiming benefits in the BCP Council area in October, down 26 per cent on last year.

The figure was up 151 per cent on five years ago and 32 per cent up on 2010.

In the Dorset Council area, there were 4,665 unemployed and claiming benefits in October, down 23 per cent on 2021, but up 173 per cent over five years and up 44 per cent since 2010.

The figures show unemployment among young people dropping over the long term.

The number of unemployed 18-24 year-olds in the BCP Council area stood at 1,125, down 23 per cent on last year. Although the figure was up 112 per cent over five years, it was down 21 per cent on 2010.

In the Dorset Council area, unemployment among young people fell 24 per cent year-on-year to 710. The figure was up 118 per cent over five years but down 20 per cent since 2010.

The Bank of England is expecting a two-year recession in which unemployment nationally will almost double. However, joblessness in Dorset is currently better than the national picture.

Employment minister Guy Opperman said: “The UK labour market has remained resilient in the face of global challenges, with a low unemployment rate and a record number of people on payrolls.

“Whilst these figures are encouraging, we recognise that families are facing rising prices and employers need support to fill vacancies with a reliable workforce.

“Our focus is on making sure people looking for work, and those already in work, have the opportunity to boost their skills and keep more of what they earn – helped by our extensive network of Jobcentres. Our priority will always be to support the most vulnerable and we recognise that people are struggling with rising prices, which is why we are protecting millions of those most in need with at least £1,200 of direct payments.”

David McArthur, Jobcentre Plus partnership manager in Dorset and Hampshire, said; “The good news is that whether you live in Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth or Southampton there are always positive events going on at your local Jobcentre Plus office to support your job search or for you to take that next stepping stone to employment.”

Jobcentre work coaches recently held a recruitment day for 50-plus, with employers including Sainsbury’s, Poundland, Cambian and Wessex Laundry.

A Disability Confident Jobs Fair is held today, Tuesday, November 29, with employers including Liveability, Alina Homecare and Autism Unlimited.

Mr McArthur said: “The changes to Universal Credit and the older workers’ offer means we can help even more claimants receive intensive support, to help them get into work and seize opportunities to increase their job prospects and pay. Our DWP Find a Job website signposts people to where thousands of jobs are on offer.”

Across the South West, the number of people in employment stood at 2.8million in October, up 6,000 on 2021.

The unemployment rate in the region is 2.5 per cent, compared with the UK average of 3.6 per cent, and was down 0.8 per cent on the previous year.

The number of people in workless households has fallen by 71,000 since the second quarter of 2010.