THERE are currently more than 250 more Flintshire people claiming unemployment related benefits than the same time last year, figures have shown.

The department for work and pensions (DWP) has released its labour market figures for March 2019.

According to the latest data, Flintshire local authority area has 2,557 claimants for this month, which is 275 more people than the same time 12 months ago, but 1,214 less than five years ago.

Of the 2,557 claimants for March this year there were 471 claimants aged 18 to 24, which is 100 more than the same time last year and 342 less than five years ago.

A DWP spokesman said: "The local labour market in Flintshire continues to be busy, with active recruitment taking place across a broad range of sectors."

A jobs fair will be taking place on April 11 at Deeside Leisure Centre from 10am to 2pm in collaboration with Communities for Work Plus.

The fair will be open to the public and around 50 employers will be in attendance, most of whom will have live vacancies.

Around 500 people attended the same event in 2018. In addition, around 30 partner organisations will be in attendance offering support and guidance.

The DWP has clarified its figures show the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits modelled under "Universal Credit conditionality".

Figures show 'claimant unemployment' – which the department added is not the same as unemployment as defined under International Labour Organisation and measured through the Labour Force Survey.