MORE work experience and the internet’s position as a shop window for jobs are driving down the North-East’s unemployment rate, it has been claimed.

The amount of people out of work across the region has fallen again, with 29,000 more people in jobs than compared to a year ago.

The national unemployment rate is down to a near seven-year low of 1.86 million.

However, the North-East’s unemployment rate continues to be the highest in the UK, standing at 7.7 per cent, with the South-East and South-West recording the lowest number at 4.5 per cent.

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the region’s employment rate stood at 1,188,000 for the period between November and January, with unemployment at 99,000.

It added the UK’s jobless rate is now at 5.7 per cent, compared to the EU average of 9.8 per cent, with the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance falling to 791,200 in February.

Julia Hume covers the Durham area as a Jobcentre Plus customer service operations manager, and told The Northern Echo the employment landscape was changing.

She said: “Our figures show a 15.8 per cent fall in the number of people unemployed in the region, which is really good for us.

“It shows that we are catching the rest of the country up, and there are a few different things you can look at for the change.

“One is the internet, which we are really using a lot more and it is allowing companies to advertise their vacancies and make them more available for jobseekers.

“We are giving people more support on that, and also helping them with CVs to give them more opportunities with interviews.”

Ms Hume also said work experience was crucial.

She added: “We have always got a lot of work experience placements available and it makes a massive difference.

“Getting a job is a job in itself, but having that experience gives people real evidence of work and proof of various skills, including things like their attitude and time-keeping, which are very important.”

Employment Minister Esther McVey said the numbers proved the Government’s plans were working.

She added: “This is a remarkable set of figures, which underlines our success in backing businesses to create jobs, and supporting British people to seize those opportunities.”

However, Helen Goodman, Bishop Auckland MP and shadow Work and Pensions Minister said people are still worse off, despite the drop in unemployment.

She added: “The fall in overall unemployment in the region is welcome, but people £1,160 a year worse off in the North-East.

“Low pay jobs have left thousands of working families struggling to make ends meet, with 28,000 people stuck on zero-hour contracts.”