YEAR-on-year unemployment figures for Worcester are up again – but 18-24-year-olds are bucking the trend.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a six per cent rise in people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit with searching for work as a condition, Housing Benefit or Child Tax Credit.

The overall figure has risen by 109 to 1,794 but the 269 18-24-year-olds in that bracket represents a dip of seven per cent.

The mixed outlook comes as national employment rates hit an all-time high with unemployment at 3.8 per cent and wages outstripping inflation for the 14th month in a row.

But Councillor Ceri Marie Stalker, one of two Labour representatives for Warndon, argued those able to affect change in Worcester had been working together to help overcome economic "uncertainty".

“We are all fighting to bring good, long-term jobs to the city for people whatever age they are,” she said.

“All councillors and businesses are fighting to try to employ people, nobody wants this situation.

“It has been a time of uncertainty for many years, we all know that, we want to have a vibrant city that has people in work and gives people choices.

“Like most things it is about people working together.

“There are people at all different levels, whether that be people in the council or in business, trying to make sure that happens. It is in everyone’s best interests.

“I haven’t had anyone contact me or talk about it on the doorsteps recently and unemployment going down for young people is a good thing.

“We want more jobs for everyone, and properly-paid jobs, but no one has raised this in the recent conversations I have had.”

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Malvern is down five per cent overall to 888 and has dropped 10 per cent to 137 for 18 to 24 year-olds.

The picture is not so good in Wychavon, though, rising six per cent to 1,371 overall and seven per cent to 203 for 18 to 24 year-olds.