Dale Benton

The number of Lincoln residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is higher than the UK average, statistics show.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that 4.7% of people aged 16-64 years in Lincoln claim JSA.

The total number of people claiming JSA in Lincoln is 1.2% more than the UK’s average of 3.5% of JSA claimants.

Statistics also show that 1.5% of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance for longer than 12 months — 0.5% higher than the UK average.

However, residents claiming aged 18-24 is at 6%, which is just lower than the UK average of 6.2%.

This comes after ONS found that there were 336,000 more people in employment in the UK and 72,000 fewer unemployed people over the past few months.

ONS added that 1.48 million people within the UK aged 18 or over were claiming Jobseekers Allowance, the lowest number of claimants since March 2011.

Despite the drop in unemployment figures though, the number of people unemployed for over one year is at its highest since 1996.

Over the past year, 915,000 people have been unemployed and searching for work for over a year – an increase of 32,000.

This is in spite of the number of vacancies within the UK rising to 529,000, the highest since 2008.

Despite Lincoln’s higher than average figures, the overall figure of people claiming in the city and the East Midlands has fallen.

There are 249 less claimants in Lincoln presently overall.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney said: “It’s great news that the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance is falling in the East Midlands.

“This means since the election there are 249 fewer people claiming the main unemployment benefit in Lincoln.”

“British business is rising to the challenge of creating jobs. There is always more to do, but these figures are encouraging.”

A development scheme to build new canal view homes at The River Side Oasis site is entering the final stages of development.

The site of the former E2V factory off Carholme Road was developed by Linden Homes, aiming to build high-quality new housing in Lincoln.

The scheme, which built 255 new homes, has proven popular since its launch in September 2011.

Of the 255 homes, Linden has 58 remaining – predominantly two bedroom apartments and houses.

Linden Homes will now complete the construction of the final homes to be added to the Oasis development.

Chris Roads, sales director at Linden Homes said: “Apart from the convenience of the location in terms of being close to the centre of Lincoln and enjoying canal side views – the development is perfect for the first time buyer or people looking to downsize.

“Linden Homes has had a long and successful association with Lincoln – with a number of previous developments in and around the city – including Bracebridge Heath and others within walking distance of the city centre.”

The development scheme has been praised by Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, who recently visited the site.

He said: “It was great to have had the opportunity to visit Linden’s site, which has positively transformed the area. I was impressed by the scheme which I thought was both attractive in design and sympathetic to the existing residents in the area.

“It is a beautiful setting next to the canal and a fantastic development.”