Tower Hamlets has bucked the trend for rising numbers of jobseekers allowance (JSA) claimants in London according to the latest employment research.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the borough’s total number of JSA claimants aged 16-64 fell by 0.1 per cent to 9,995 in November 2010 from 10,147 in the previous month.

That marks the first time the figures have dropped below 10,000 since April 2009.

Across London though, claimant numbers went up to 216,300 in November, a rise of 900 from October but down 11,600 on a year ago.

The number of unemployed people in the borough also dropped up to June according to ONS figures.

From 16,800 unemployed people in March, there was a fall to 14,500, equal to 2.1 per cent.

The unemployment rate of 12.4 per cent up to June remained above the London average though which was 8.9 per cent.

And unemployment has risen nationally in the last quarter, with 2.5 million people unemployed from August to October, up by 35,000 on the May to July period.

In Tower Hamlets, the amount of people in employment at both ends of the jobs spectrum saw slight dips, while numbers in administrative and secretarial positions increased.

Employees in managerial, senior official and professional roles dropped by 0.3 per cent between the March 2010 and June 2010 reporting periods.

A 1.0 per cent fall was also witnessed for workers in machine operative or process plant roles.

But numbers working in administration and skilled trades grew by 0.3 per cent, from 14,500 to 15,400.

The number of unfilled Jobcentre Plus vacancies also went up from 808 in October 2010 to 1,114 in November 2010.

Reacting to the latest jobs figures yesterday, employment minister Chris Grayling said: “It’s essential to create a stable environment where businesses can flourish and create jobs – with those on benefits at the front of the queue to take them up.

“That’s why we are increasing the support available to people through both Jobcentre Plus and our new Work Programme which will revolutionise the way in which we help the long term unemployed into sustained employment.”