Rotherham jobless total doubles in a year

THE number of people claiming Universal Credit in Rotherham has passed 27,000, according to the latest figures.

In the month to December 12, 613 more people were claiming the benefit, bringing the total to 27,123.

Figures released last week showed there were 11,548 people unemployed in the borough in November – 96 per cent up on a year earlier.

Young people were affected even worse, with 2,385 out of work - a 128 per cent rise on the previous year’s figure.

The overall figure is 61 per cent higher than five years ago.