THE number of people out of work people in Wirral has continued to fall, according to new figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows 3,945 claimed Jobseekers Allowance or Universal in September, down from 4,070 in August.

Merseyside Jobcentre Plus spokesman Alan Harrison told the Globe: "Once again Wirral continues to do really, really well.

"The number of claimants aged 18 to 24 who are receiving unemployment benefits was 990, down by nearly a quarter on this time last year.

"The overall number claiming benefits is 3945, down 645 on this time last year.

"This is the 26th month in a row that unemployment in the Merseyside city region has continued to fall. It is a great figure, and now it’s about maintaining the pace.

"The majority of those now off benefits are in work, but some have also taken up apprenticeships, increasing their chances of getting employment in the future."

The national jobless total rose by 10,000 in the quarter to August to 1.66 million, the first jump since the turn of the year.

The claimant count, including those on Jobseeker's Allowance, also increased last month - up by 700 to 776,400. It was the sixth time in the last seven months that the figure has increased.

Nationally 31.8m people are now in work rising by more than 560,000 in the past year.

Female employment stands at 69.7%, near the recent record high of 69.8% in May to June 2016.

Youth unemployment has also fallen by more than 300,000 since 2010.

The ONS say more than 720,000 people have now made a claim to Universal Credit.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: "Once again it's great news for Britain as the employment rate remains at a record high with more than 31.8 million men and women in work.

"It's good news in the North West where the number of people in work has risen by 63,000 over the past year, and there is a near record 1.62 million women in work.

"But there’s more to do, particularly when it comes to supporting young people into employment."