Unemployment levels remain static in Cumbria, but the figures do not reflect the “buoyant” picture across the labour market.

That was the conclusion of Shane Byrne, partnership manager for Jobcentre Plus in Cumbria, after latest figures showed there was no change in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit last month in comparison to August.

According to the Office for National Statistics there were 5,250 claimants in September, which equates to 1.8% of the workforce.

While Copeland saw a rise of 25 to 1,180 (2.8%), Barrow saw a fall of 25 to 1,025 (2.5%). There was no change in Allerdale, where the figure was 1,495 (2.6%), Carlisle, which stands at 985 (1.5%), Eden, at 230 (0.7%) and South Lakeland, which recorded 335 (0.6%).

The unchanged picture, ended a four months consecutive run of falls, but Mr Byrne said that the picture was bright with unemployment levels at a record lo, and positive signs in West Cumbria that the switch to Universal Credit was helping people in to work.

“It is a really buoyant picture across Cumbria,” he said.

“Unemployment figures are not a great indicator of the economy, and with some significant recruitments taking place, and seasonal recruitment about to start, it is looking very positive.”

Mr Byrne said that the switch to Universal Credit at the Jobcentre Plus offices in Workington and Whitehaven was having a positive impact, and that the roll out to the remaining offices next year would give jobseekers greater support and help them in to roles quicker. Offices in Barrow, Carlisle, Penrith and Kendal are expected to be part of the system by June.

He added: “The Universal Credit support is there to ensure that nobody is disadvantaged, to ensure payments are timely and accurate and that claimants are encouraged in to work. Ultimately the best social policy ever invented is work – it gives a sense of well-being.”

In a further boost the Government also announced that it would scrap controversial local charging for the Universal Credit helpline from next month.

Nationally, unemployment fell to a 12-year low. The jobless total was cut by 52,000 in the quarter to August to 1.4 million, the lowest since 2005, with women driving the growth in employment.

More than 32 million people are in work after a rise of 52,000, including 15 million women, with the female employment rate reaching a record 70.7 per cent, according to the ONS.

Senior ONS statistician Matt Hughes said: “Employment growth in the latest three-month period was driven mainly by women, with a corresponding drop in inactivity. Vacancies remain robust, at a near-record level.

“On the other hand, total earnings in cash terms grew slower than prices over the last year, meaning their real value continues to fall, down 0.3 per cent over that period.”