600 apply for Blackpool civil service jobs

The vacancies at the Department for Work and Pensions offices in Faraday Way, Bispham were for the expanding Universal Credit benefit.

Today, Karl Worsley from Blackpool’s Jobcentre, said the response had been amazing.

Speaking as the monthly unemployment figures came out he said: “We had a massive response, more than 600n applications.

“They will be starting to go through those now and they will be getting in touch with people who have applied in the next few weeks.”

He added that more jobs were available in temporary positions over the Christmas period and big names such as Primark, Debenhams, The Hilton, Boots and H Samuel were seeking staff.

He said: “It is seasonal work, but good work experience for your CV and sometimes an employer, if they like someone, will keep them on afterwards.

“On November 25, we are having an event at the Queen Street Jobcentre for the NHS who are looking for clinical and clerical staff. Anyone who is interested should contact their local jobcentre to come along.

He added that the Jobcentre is constantly giving out information about job vacancies and training sessions via their Twitter feed at #cumbriaandlancashirejobs.

Nationally the jobless total was cut by 37,000 in the quarter to September to 1.6 million, the lowest since 2006, giving an unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent.

Locally, the number of people claiming work age benefits such as Universal Credit between September and October remained fairly flat. In Blackpool North and Cleveleys 1,395 people claimed, down 0.1 per cent on the same period last year.

In Blackpool South the figures was 2,035, up 0.3 per cent, while in Fylde there were 640, the same as last year.

In Lancaster and Fleetwood the figure was 975, up 0.2 per cent while in Wyre and Preston North the figure was 385 also the same as last year’s period.