UNEMPLOYMENT is on the rise again in Dorset according to the latest information from the Office for National Statistics.

The latest figures show 82 more people were out of work in Weymouth and Portland in November compared to October.

The number of jobless people in the borough has risen by 7.7 per cent in that time from 1,060 to 1,142.

Statistics tell a similar story in the rest of the county.

In West Dorset, joblessness went up from 683 people in October to 704 in November, an increase of 21 people or 3.1 per cent.

In the county as a whole, the number of people out of work rose by 210 people or 5.6 per cent from 3,722 in October to 3,932 in November.

The annual unemployment statistics for Dorset tell a different story to the monthly figures.

Overall, joblessness in Weymouth and Portland has fallen from 1,295 people last November to 1,142 people this November, a reduction of 153 people or 11.8 per cent.

Since last November, the number of unemployed people in West Dorset has fallen from 821 people to 704 people this November, a drop of 117 people or 14.3 per cent.

The number of people out of work in the county council area of Dorset last November was 4,789 compared to just 3,932 people this November.

That is a reduction of 857 people or 17.9 per cent.

Nationally the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 1,200 between October and November 2010 to reach 1.46 million, although the number of people claiming for up to six months increased by 11,600 to reach 954,900.

Analysing the latest figures, Dorset County Council’s economic research assistant, Rebecca Porter, said: “Each of the six Dorset districts saw lower claimant unemployment than a year ago, leading to a net fall of 857 for the county council area of Dorset as a whole.

“The lowest benefit claimant rates for November were in North Dorset and West Dorset, both at 1.3 per cent.”

Neil Schofield, 29, of Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, who has been looking for work for two years, said he was ‘not surprised’ by the latest statistics.

He added: “I’ve been looking for work for ages and there just doesn’t seem to be anything out there.

“Six or seven years ago Weymouth used to be flooded with work, even in the winter.

“Since changes to the New Look site and other businesses left there has been nothing.

“I don’t want to be stuck on benefits but if you go to agencies you can only get a few days’ work here and there.

“It’s no good taking work like that when you really need 40 hours per week to pay the bills.”

Clive Canham, 34, of The Rise, Weymouth has been looking for work since October.

He said: “I’m not really surprised by the figures. There’s not much work around at the moment.”