The number of people out of work and claiming benefits in Watford has risen for the third month in a row.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 1,773 people collected Jobseekers Allowance payments in July – 35 more than in June.

At 3.1 per cent of the working age population, the figure remains well below the national average of 3.8 per cent. Claimant numbers, however, have risen by six per cent since the beginning of the year.

In the Three Rivers district 1,124 claims were processed – an increase of six per cent on the previous month but only fractionally higher than the figure (1120) recorded in January.

Nationally, unemployment rose by 37,000 to 1.56million.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “These are disappointing figures but we always said that the road to recovery would be choppy. Clearly this has been a difficult few months with a range of one-off factors and a slowdown in the world economy having an impact on the UK. This is why is we are focused on taking steps to increase growth, support the economy and encourage businesses to invest and create jobs.

“For people who lose their jobs, our new Work Programme is now up and running and will offer jobseekers flexible support tailored to their needs to help them into employment.”