New figures show the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Havering was higher last month than a year ago.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show an extra 101 people in Havering were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in June compared with June last year, suggesting unemployment is still a problem.
But the total also showed 82 fewer people were claiming JSA this June compared with May.
The out-of-work benefit is available to people under pensionable age who are actively seeking and available for work of at least 40 hours per week.
There were 4,990 claiming in June last year, 5,091 in June this year and 5,173 in May.
Other figures suggest unemployment is continuing to rise in the borough.
The latest annual employment figures from ONS show 3,500 fewer people in Havering were in employment last year compared with the year before while 400 more became unemployed. But 70 per cent of the population is still in employment.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said some claimants may have been getting a different form of out-of-work benefit before changing to JSA.
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