Number of unemployed people in Harborough has increased as the Covid pandemic continues to hit the local economy

The number of unemployed people in Harborough has increased as the Covid pandemic continues to hit the local economy.

Some 1,950 people were out of work and claiming benefits in the district last month.

That’s 85 more than were seeking work in January, new figures show.

The number of people unemployed now is almost three times what it was before the first coronavirus lockdown in March last year.

And 590 people aged 18 to 24 are out of work – 30 per cent of the total number of jobless.

The grim economic picture has emerged as Harborough District Council’s Economic Development Team is staging its first Harborough Jobs Week this week.

The special initiative will run until this Sunday (March 28) across the authority’s website and social media platforms.