UNEMPLOYMENT fell overall in East Lancashire last month, and four of the region’s boroughs saw a decline in out-of-work benefit claims.

Figures released yesterday showed there were 134 fewer people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in the region in April, compared with the previous month.

In Blackburn, the number of unemployed people fell from 4,430 to 4,280 – a decrease of 50.

Drops were also noted in the Ribble Valley, where the number fell from 556 to 507, Pendle, where there were 45 fewer people on unemployment benefits and Rossendale, which managed to get 55 people into work.

However, the figure rose in Burnley, which had 2,871 people out of work in March compared with 2,924 in April.

Hyndburn also saw a small jump, with 12 more people claiming benefits in April than in March.

Andrew Stephenson MP for Pendle, said: “I am pleased to see the unemployment figures for Pendle decrease again this month, however there is still much to be done.

“Unemployment remains a significant issue in Pendle and I am pressing the government to do even more to help.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans agreed the news was excellent. He said the Ribble Valley had usually done well, “but I never rest on my laurels and the Government must do all that they can to ensure that the economy is vibrant.”