THE number of jobless in Southampton fell by around 4% in December compared with the same period in 2015.

Figures out yesterday showed that the number out of work in the city was 2,225 – down 95 on the previous year.

Of those 485 are in the 18 to 24 year-old age group and the total in this category is down by 95 on 2015.

Andy Sherman from Southampton Jobcentre said that fall in unemployment was due in part to recruiting by the new restaurants at extension to Westquay and there were still more posts to be filled at the new complex where several restaurants – including Wahaca, TGIs, Kupp, L’Osteria – are yet to open as is the 10-screen Cinema de Lux.

The new Lidl distribution centre at Nursling had also been a factor, said Mr Sherman, who added that the German retailer would also be recruiting for its new store in Woolston.

Looking forward, Mr Sherman said the approval of the Bargate Centre redevelopment would create construction jobs later in the year.

He also pointed to recent figures produced by one of the UK’s largest job sites, CV Library, which ranked Southampton at number four in a list of the top UK cities to find a job this year, as vacancies in January had increased by 18% on 2016. 

Elsewhere in south Hampshire Winchester saw a slight increase in unemployment, up by 25 to 380, as did Test Valley, where the jobless total was up by 15 on December 2015 to 425.

In Eastleigh unemployment stood at 510, down by five, Fareham was down by 45 to 390, and the New Forest was down by 50 to 630.

Nationally unemployment rates remain at an 11-year low of 4.8 per cent.

The Office for National Statistics confirmed that employment continues to run at a near-record high rate of 74.5 per cent, with 31.8 million people in work – 294,000 more than this time last year. 

Regional statistics showed that unemployment in the south east was down by 18,000 for three months between September and November 2016 compared with the same period in 2015.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds, pictured left, said: “We start the new year with another encouraging set of figures.

"Employment continues to run at a near-record high, unemployment remains at an 11-year low and both figures are stronger than this time last year – highlighting the strength and resilience of our labour market as we step up to the challenges of 2017.

“There’s good news in the South East where there is a near record number of people in work at 4.5 million and a near record number of women of women in work at 2.11 million.

“We have made real progress creating a strong economy and helping more people into work, and will do what is needed to continue that trajectory as we build a country that works for everyone.”