THE number claiming out-of-work benefits in Wirral stood at almost 7,000 last month, according to figures out today.

Office for National Statistics data shows 6,930 claimed under the new Universal Credit system.

The Globe has contacted Job Centre plus for comment.

The ONS say that, nationally, employment jumped by 179,000 in the three months to February, to 32.7 million, the highest total since records began in 1971.

Unemployment fell by 27,000 to 1.34 million, continuing a general trend started in early 2012.

ONS deputy head of labour market statistics Matt Hughes said: "The jobs market remains robust, with the number of people in work continuing to grow.

"The increase over the past year is all coming from full-timers, both employees and the self-employed.

"Earnings have now been growing ahead of inflation for over a year, but in real terms, wage levels have not yet returned to their pre-downturn peak."

Employment minister Alok Sharma said: "The UK jobs market continues to go from strength to strength, proving the underlying resilience of the British economy.

"But we must not take this for granted.

"We need to work urgently to get behind a Brexit deal that protects this jobs record and gives employers the certainty to continue to invest in their workforce and boost wages.

"With more people in work than ever before, it is welcome news that wages are continuing to rise at their fastest rate in a decade."