CUMBRIA'S jobs market remains buoyant, defying expectations of a Brexit-induced slowdown, JobCentre officials say.

Figures published last week showed another fall in the number of job hunters claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or the new Universal Credit.

Although the figures were compiled before the referendum on June 23, Jennifer Metherell, employment engagement manager for JobCentre Plus in north and west Cumbria, says there is no evidence that employers are becoming reluctant to hire in the wake of the result.

She said: “We haven't seen any impact as yet in JobCentres that could be attributed to the referendum. It has been business as usual.

“Across the county there is a downward trend in unemployment. Carlisle is still buoyant, particularly in retail where Primark has been recruiting.

“We have some vacancies we have been unable to fill, which is a good situation to be in, although who knows what the future holds?”

There were 4,605 Cumbrian dole claimants in June, 295 fewer than in May, making up 1.5 per cent of the county's workforce.

But set against this, the Markit Flash UK Composite Output Index has plummeted to its lowest level since April 2009, falling to 47.7 in July, compared to 52.4 in June. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

The sharp contraction was triggered by falling output and orders for the first time since the end of 2012, while business optimism in Britain’s powerhouse services sector hit a seven-and-a-half-year low.

The data, collected between July 12 and 21, provides a stark picture of the state of the economy following the Brexit vote, with City experts now warning that Britain could be heading for a recession.