UNEMPLOYMENT in Trafford has fallen by almost a quarter in the past year, according to the Jobcentre Plus.

Across the Jobcentre’s two branches in Altrincham and Stretford, the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit is down by 716 to 2,268.

The figure represents a 24 per cent drop on the figure of 2,984, recorded at the same point in 2014.

Job Centre manger for Trafford, Colin Billingsley, said: “It’s good news for Trafford and its residents. We’re very pleased with the figures and are continuing to support those who are still unemployed.

“The vast majority of people will move into full time employment.

“We do know that some people will take part time work, usually because it suits their circumstances.

“We now have the universal credit scheme, which is encouraging more people in Trafford into work.”

He added: “We do know that people will take on zero hours contracts. Nobody is penalised for doing so.”

Colin added that there was a particularly good supply of jobs across Trafford in retail, leisure, banking and call centre roles.

The Jobcentre Plus is also working with Trafford Council on the Trafford Pledge – whereby the local authority works in partnership with 21 employers to jobseekers aged 16-24 into suitable employment.

Across Manchester, figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed 30,613 are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Greater Manchester in May 2015.

In addition to JSA, there were 15,380 people in Greater Manchester in May who were out of work and were claiming Universal Credit, giving a combined JSA/UC figure of 45,993 –21.4 per cent lower (12,480 fewer people) when compared with the same time last year.