THERE has been a slight rise in unemployment in the Cotswolds and Wiltshire between December last year and 2015.

In the Cotswolds, 315 were recorded as unemployed last month, an increase of 10 people (three per cent increase) from the same month the year before.

In Wiltshire, there were 2,530 people unemployed in December, an increase of 210 (nine per cent increase) from December in 2015.

When looking at young people aged 18 to 24 in the Cotswolds, 75 were unemployed last month, 10 more than in December 2015 (a 15 per cent increase).

In Wiltshire, there were 595 unemployed 18- to 24-year-olds, a reduction of 15 (two per cent) from the year before.

Di Haines, manager at Cirencester's Jobcentre Plus, said: "In Gloucestershire, the actual number of people who are economically active has increased by 3900 from the period October 2015 to September 2015 to the period July 2015 to June 2016.

"We are continuing to see active recruitment by Cotswold employers. 

"Cotswold Hoburne have over 70 vacancies at the moment and the Four Pillars at South Cerney are also recruiting.

"We also supported recruitment of Premier Inn in Cirencester. Some of the people they employed from Jobcentre Plus have already been promoted.

"To help those who remain unemployed in Gloucestershire, we work with training partners to help increase the employability skills of people looking for work.

"We are running a special training course in conjunction with a training provider and Cotswold Hoburne for people who are receiving means-tested benefits.

"If anyone has enquiries about that course, they should contact the work coach at Cirencester Jobcentre."