UNEMPLOYMENT in Huddersfield rose by more than 700 last month, figures showed today.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed there were 2,008 people out of work and claiming benefit in the town during March.

That compares with 1,305 in February.

Among other local constituencies, the jobless tally in Colne Valley rose by 40 to 1,186, with Dewsbury 36 higher at 1,341 and Wakefield up by 39 to 1,652.

Nationally, the number of people out of work and claiming benefits rose by 12,600 to a three-year high of 937,600 in February.

The ONS also reported a rise in the quarterly unemployment figure.

The jobless tally rose by 30,000 to 1.56m between December and February.

Other figures released today showed that average earnings rose by 4.2% in the year to February, against a 0.6% rise in January.

The rise was largely due to bonuses paid to City workers.