Number of Staffordshire jobless claiming benefits is on rise

The figure has gone up by 331 since January to a total of 14,842. However, 4,126 fewer people are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the county than the same time last year.

Unemployment stands at 2.7 per cent, well under the West Midlands average of 8.7 per cent.

In Cannock Chase, the number of unemployed rose by 32 to 2,285, representing 3.6 per cent of the population. The rate in Stafford increased to 1,928, a rise of 22 people.

Lichfield saw a sharp rise of 69 people losing their jobs in February, meaning a total of 1,449 people in the cathedral city are out of work.

Just two more people joined the doll queues in South Staffordshire last month, bringing the total to 1,737. Nationally, there are 2.52 million out of work, up 7,000 from the end of last year.

Councillor George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase District Council, said: "One glimmer of hope we do have is that when Tesco is built in Rugeley it will create hundreds of jobs but there needs to be a bigger investment strategy."

Councillor Mike Heenan, leader of Stafford Borough Council, said: "Overall Stafford is doing well compared to a number of other areas in the region but it is still very concerning to see that unemployment is still on the up." Chris Plant, director of Chase Chamber of Commerce, said he was encouraged by the state of the jobs market despite the rise in unemployment.