Unemployment surges by more than 800

The number of people claiming out of work benefits in Rochdale increased by more than one person every hour in the last month as 840 new claimants sought help.

The area’s jobless figures in Rochdale rocketed by more than 13% last month to 6928, the highest figure for well over 10 years.

The overall total has gone up by 840, representing 5.4% of the working population.

This figure is made up of 5,261 men — a rise of 626 — and 1,543 women, up 214.

Rochdale has the highest percentage of people out of work in the whole of Greater Manchester.

Nationally, the number of Job Seekers Allowance claimants soared by a staggering 138,400 to reach 1.39 million. And unemployment topped the two million mark for the first time in 12 years. And many economists now fear it will rise to above three million next year.

Employment Minister Tony McNulty said: “These latest figures show the human impact of the global recession. No matter how hard times get, we will not give up on anyone who loses their job and will continue to provide real help to everyone who needs it.

“Even with the fall in labour demand that we are currently experiencing, we need to remember that three quarters of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance leave it within six months, and 250,000 people left the claimant count in February.

“We are investing £2 billion to ensure Jobcentre Plus can continue to offer all its customers a first-class service.

“And next month people who have been claiming for six months will be able to access the enhanced package of support which we announced in January.”