THE number of people out of work and claiming benefit in Oxfordshire last month increased by 168 above the July figure to 8,058, or 1.9 per cent of the working population.

The figures represent an increase of 540 over the figure for August last year.

Oxford has the highest number of claimants at 2,860 or 3.4 per cent – up 302 on last year. South Oxfordshire has the lowest at 1,235, down 58 on last year. Nationally, the figure rose by 20,300 to 1.58 million, the highest level of claimants since January 2010.

The overall jobless figure including those not claiming benefit rose by 80,000 to 2.51 million between May and July, with 77,000 of those aged between 18 and 24.

Claire Prosser, policy executive at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, said: “These figures are not encouraging. However, the month-on-month jump is probably caused to some extent by school leavers and graduates coming onto the market.

“Against a background of record youth unemployment, we would advise young people to explore all possibilities, including getting work experience wherever possible, and even considering starting their own business.”