THE number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance for more than 12 months in North Somerset has more than trebled in less than three years.

Long-term unemployment in the district has risen by more than 300 per since January 2008.

Although figures released last week also show the number of people in work in the South West did actually rise by 1.1 per cent in July to September 2010, compared to the same period last year, campaigners say it is too early to talk about a jobs recovery.

The Trade Unions Congress says North Somerset is rated fifth highest, out of 36 South West local authorities, when it comes to the increase in the number of people who have been claiming jobseeker’s allowance for more than 12 months.

The group, which campaigns on behalf of 58 trade unions, says that in January 2008, 85 people were in that position, whereas in September 2010 it was 306 per cent higher, at 345.

South West TUC regional secretary Nigel Costley said: “The recent fall in unemployment is welcome, but it would be dangerously na�ve to believe that these figures constitute a jobs recovery.

“We can see from announcements of job cuts being made in the public sector that bad news is on its way and it will take some months for these losses to show up in the statistics.

“The latest employment figures conceal worrying trends – the fact that women are finding it harder to secure jobs than men and the sharp rise in long-term unemployment, which is of deep concern.”

In the South West, from July to September this year, male employment rose by 3.5 per cent, but female employment fell by 1.3 per cent.