UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen in the North-East defying the national trend, but the region still has the highest percentage of people out of work according to latest figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said unemployment in the North-East fell by 9,000 to 88,000 in the three months between June and August, a decrease of 0.7 per cent.

The figure is also down 22,000 from the same stage a year ago, a drop of 1.9 per cent.

The North-East was the only region in England to see unemployment fall in the three-month period.

However, the unemployment rate in the region stands at 6.8 per cent, which is still the highest in the UK and almost two per cent above the national average.

The employment rate in the North East was up 0.2 per cent in the last quarter to 71.1 per cent, which is a rise of 8,000, but the overall percentage is still the lowest in England and more than three per cent below the national average.

Jackie Godfrey, customer service operations manager at Jobcentre Plus, said the latest figures were “really good news for the North-East.”

“We have 52,000 more people in work over the last year, which means more than 1.2 million are now in work.”

Ms Godfrey said the claimant count in Darlington had fallen by 28 per cent since 2010, and the figure for 18 to 24 year olds was down by 41 per cent in the same period.

She added there was a number of retailers in Darlington currently recruiting for workers. Including Marks & Spencer, Next, Matalan, House of Fraser and EE.

“We have a lot going on in Darlington - we are helping people in the local community, we are holding a networking event for our most vulnerable customers and offering work experience opportunities for all ages.”

When asked if the North-East will continue to have the highest unemployment rate in the UK, Ms Godfrey said the region must do “the best we can.”

“”I think we have to look at what is available in the local community.

“It is important to make sure we explore all opportunities and tap into new employers as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who do not always advertise their vacancies.”

The figures also showed the number of men claiming jobs seekers allowance in the North East was more than double the national average.

“I don’t believe it is gender specific. We are looking to highlight those transferable skills that people can use in different jobs” said Ms Godfrey.

She added it was too early to say if Brexit had impacted on jobs in the region.

“As far as we are concerned, we will be prepared for whatever happens with the global and local economy.

“The message is we are available and we will react quickly to understand our customers and work to do what is best.

Nationally, the jobless total rose by 10,000 in the quarter to August to 1.66 million, the first jump since the turn of the year.

Average earnings increased by 2.3 per cent in the year to August, down by 0.1 per cent on the previous month.