THE number of people looking for work in Brighton and Hove has more than halved in the past five years.

There are 3,030 unemployed in the city of which 565 are aged 18 to 24.

The youth unemployment rate is below the South East average for the first time and is now half the national rate.

Steve Benwell, relationship manager for the Department for Work and Pensions based at Hove Jobcentre Plus, is delighted.

He said: “Obviously there is still much to do but these figures demonstrate real progress is being made in terms of building a strong offer to prepare local unemployed people to meet the needs of the local labour market.”

Mr Benwell said there are a number of key projects which are reducing the number of jobless.

He said: “We are building partnerships with training partners and employers to create effective training route ways.

“These prepare local unemployed people with the core skills and qualifications they need to get back into work.

“For example we are able to offer free graphic design, web design, barista, business administration, construction and hospitality training locally.

“These are opportunities that have been designed in consultation with local business and with the needs of the local labour market in mind.

“Construction is a sector that is particularly buoyant and we currently have 20 young people working in partnership with Sussex Skills Solutions on a four-week construction programme that is preparing them for job opportunities

“There are more opportunities for local unemployed people to develop their skills for work and to help them look for work than ever before.”