JOBLESSNESS among young people in the Express area has dipped over the past few months, according to UK labour market statistics.
But statistics from nomis, a service provided by the Office for National Statistics, shows the overall trend has soared over the past year.
The number of people aged between 18 and 24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Hemsworth was at its hi
ghest point for more than four years in August, with 200 claimants.
But this dropped to 175 in December, accounting for 38.4 per cent of JSA claimants in the town.
During the same month, the average number of under 25s claiming JSA in the Wakefield district was 32.7 per cent and nationally was 29.4 per cent.
In South Elmsall, 125 people aged between 18 and 24 were claiming JSA in December, accounting for 35.5 per cent of claimants in the town.
The number of under 25s claiming JSA in South Elmsall in October was 150.
In South Kirkby, the same age group claiming JSA dropped from 195 in September to 180 in December.
But all three wards had more JSA claimants aged under 25 in December 2009 than the previous year. The total rose by 13.6 per cent in South Elmsall, 33.4 per cent in South Kirkby and 16.7 per cent in Hemsworth.
Councillors said the recent fall in JSA claimants may be due to temporary employment provided by schemes like the government's Future Jobs Fund.
District councillor Ian Womersley said: "The schemes which have been put in place to tackle unemployment are effective but they are not enough. A lot of youngsters in our area still can't get jobs."
District councillor Harold Mills said the figures might not be a true reflection of the numbers of young people out of work, as not everyone claims JSA, adding: "We welcome figures when they appear to have gone down. It's long-term employment we require and lots of it in this particular area."
Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett said: "It is a relief to see the trend is improving, albeit slightly. There is still a long way to go to make sure we don't end up like we did after the recession in the 1990s when unemployment in Hemsworth was 8.1 per cent."
Mr Trickett said he spoke regularly to employment minister Jim Knight about the need for young unemployed people to access training and work opportunities, adding: "I have also expressed my concern about young apprentices who were laid off during the recession and now find themselves in the position of not being able to complete their apprenticeships which, as we all know, would have provided them with a skill for life."
