The number of people claiming unemployment benefits has increased by nearly a third.

Unemployment figures for Brighton and Hove showed a 33 per cent increase in people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit.

In April, 4,010 were claiming the benefits compared with 3,020 in April 2017.

But job centre bosses in the city put the rise down to the roll-out of new benefit Universal Credit, which can also include people only claiming child tax credit, housing benefit, or low earning households.

Over the last eight years the claimant count fell by 3,000 and youth unemployment has fallen by 60 per cent to 690 in the same period.

Steve Benwell, who helps head up the two job centres in Brighton and Hove, said: “Certainly over the last couple of months and in future months the claimant count is likely to increase bringing in more people that were never counted before.

“But if you go back over a long period of time the claiming count has reduced and impressively around youth unemployment. A lot of work has gone into supporting young people gaining the skills they need to work and it is a testament to the work of the city’s job centres and city council providing employment programmes back into work.”

Universal Credit, the benefit which replaces six other benefits with a monthly payment, was introduced in the city in October.

But since its roll-out the benefit has been criticised by MPs for the length of time people have waited for their first payment, sometimes up to six weeks, an issue highlighted by the numbers of people using Whitehawk Foodbank.

But Mr Benwell said the issue had been addressed.

He said: “That was certainly an issue nationally raised, but the Government has made changes around Universal Credit so claimants get an advance to tie people over until their first payment and they don’t have to pay to ring to make appointments.

“Although the labour market locally remains buoyant, we cannot be complacent, particularly around long term unemployment. Our aim is to help ensure that no one is left behind and that all are able to participate in the local economy.

“This is why we have just launched a programme of additional employability support for those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for 18 months. They will receive extra tailored support for up to six months.”