Last month 6,780 people in the borough claimed Jobseeker Allowance (JSA), 141 down on the previous figure of 6,921.

That drop, however, still leaves the borough with the third-highest level of JSA claimants in North East England at 7.3 per cent, behind Middlesbrough (8.1 per cent), Hartlepool (7.4 per cent).

The figures mirror the regional trend, which has seen a decrease
in the number of people claiming JSA.

Currently 89,638 people, 5.6 per cent of the working age population, are claiming benefit, compared with 90,769 last month.

This is an increase of 6,848 on last year and above the national average of 4.4 per cent.

The breakdown for South Tyneside shows that in South Shields last month there were 3,945 jobless people with another 3,135 in Jarrow.

The percentage jobless rate among the borough's working age population dropped from 7.4 per cent to 7.3 per cent.

Coun Michael Clare, South Tyneside Council's lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration, said: "We are encouraged by the fall in the claimant count and will continue to work with our partners to bring employment opportunities to the borough, and to help people into work."