To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are unemployed in (a) the North East and (b) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency; and what estimate his Department has made of projected trends in these levels in each of the next 12 months. (244932)

In November 2008 there were 61,815 jobseeker's allowance claimants in the north-east Government office region and 2,185 in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency.

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

2. Data are published at:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk.

Source:

100 per cent. count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus Computer Systems.

While we do not predict future levels of unemployment, we are planning for the impact of higher levels of jobseeker's allowance claims in the coming months. Clearly this is a sensible approach given the expected trends during a time of slower economic growth.