UNEMPLOYMENT in Bolton is again up on last year but shows a significant improvement over the last decade.

In Bolton there are 6,115 claimants with 1,270 of them being aged 18-24.

These figures are up five per cent and two per cent respectively for the same time last year.

However, the numbers are down 20 per cent and 46 per cent respectively on 2010.

Penny Applegate, partnership manager at Jobcentre Plus in Bolton said: "Between 2008 and 2010 there was the massive down turn and we have built up slowly since then.

"The increase from last year is quite a few things happening together. Some of those are around changes to benefits."

Ms Applegate explained the roll out of Universal Credit has made a slight difference to figures with some people in work being counted because they do not yet earn a certain amount.

She said: "It does mean you retain people if they don't go into work over a certain amount."

Last month there were 6,190 claimants in Bolton, up six per cent for the same time last year.