BREXIT has had no impact on jobs in the North-East despite a rise in unemployment in the region, it has been claimed.

Jobcentre Plus believe the latest rise, which sees 3,000 more people unemployed in the North-East since April, is due to school, college and university leavers rather than fears over Britain’s vote to leave the EU.

However, experts have warned it may be too soon to see an impact and the situation in the job market could worsen in the coming months.

The unemployment rate in the North-East stands at 7.5 per cent, the highest of anywhere in the UK, although the figure is 11,000 down from the same stage last year, at 98,000.

There are 50,000 more people in work in the region than 12 months ago, the biggest percentage increase of anywhere in the UK.

The latest figures cover May to July, meaning they include, for the first time, any job losses since the Brexit vote.

Carol Daniell, external relations manager at Jobcentre Plus covering Darlington and County Durham, said: “We haven’t seen any impact from Brexit.

“On a month by month basis, we’ll see if anything changes. We have no idea how things will go and what will materialise as a result of Brexit.

“The decision could open up lots of new opportunities to trade with other countries, especially the Commonwealth.

“As an organisation we’ll implement whatever information we have to and we will support those who are affected in any way that we can.”

Official figures show the UK unemployment rate fell by 39,000 to 1.63 million in the three months between May and July.

The employment rate remained at a record high of 74.5 per cent, with 31.8 million people in work between May and July - 174,000 more than the previous quarter.

Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "With employment rising sharply and unemployment continuing to fall, the latest figures confirm that the UK jobs market remains in good shape.

"However, while one must not give undue weighting to a single month's figures, the rise in the claimant count suggests the labour market could begin to soften in the coming months if this trend continues.

"As predicted in our recent economic forecast, weaker employment alongside expected increases in inflation could trigger a broader economic slowdown by squeezing household spending - a major driver of UK economic growth."