Despite the first significant national increase in unemployment for a year the number of claimants in Coventry and Warwickshire fell by just under 700 in October.

The figures are the results of analysis produced by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Coventry and Warwickshire, who recorded drops in unemployment claimants throughout all districts.

The biggest dip came in Coventry, recording 403 less claimants, followed by Nuneaton and Bedworth, down 85, Rugby, falling 80 and Warwick, down 50.

The overall picture for Coventry and Warwickshire now reveals 9,537 people claiming unemployment benefit as of October 2001, a reduction of over 2,000 compared with just over a year ago (11,706 in September 2000).

Compared with regional figures the unemployment rate in Coventry and Warwickshire fell to an all time low, still below that of the West Midlands as a whole, standing at 2.3%, in comparison to the regional figure of 3.6%. Nationally the jobless rate is 3.1%.

The long-term unemployed, those who have not been in work for six months or longer, also fell in Coventry and Warwickshire to 3,391, representing 36.1% of those unemployed, well below the national figure of 40%.

Long term unemployment decreases in the past three months were recorded in Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Stratford and Warwick, whilst increases were found in Coventry and North Warwickshire.

Daniel Chandler, analyst for the LSC Coventry and Warwickshire, said:

"It is extremely encouraging that whilst the number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose by 4,300 throughout the country, Coventry and Warwickshire reported a drop of 675.

"Despite the economic downturn after the tragic events in the United States people in the sub-region are finding employment opportunities, and with the Christmas season now approaching there will be many jobs available for people to apply for.

"Seasonal work will help to balance figures that show companies who have been unable to survive the current climate, meaning we will have to wait until the new year to see how this is reflected in the unemployment reports."