JOBLESS people in Boston are being assured that efforts are being made to help them find work after it was revealed unemployment in the borough has risen by 18 per cent in the last 12 months.

New figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed 1,490 people in the borough were claiming unemployment benefit last month compared to 1,264 in January 2011.

This was the largest increase in joblessness among Lincolnshire's seven local authorities with neighbouring East Lindsey and South Holland both showing seven per cent year on year rises.

But while Lincolnshire County Council head of enterprise Justin Brown described the ONS figures as "disappointing news" he stressed efforts were being made to address the situation.

He told the Target: "Boston has a lot going for it and we have several projects under way to create new jobs.

"The Boston flood barrier will improve confidence in the town and encourage more businesses to invest there.

"Our training courses are helping to ensure that local people have the right skills to find work.

"The Wash Fens Rural Programme is helping rural firms get the grants they need to expand and create new jobs and we are currently working on a scheme to support companies that take on apprenticeships."

Boston MP Mark Simmonds added: "Obviously I am concerned about this reported increase in unemployment and I sympathise with the situation that many people are in due to job losses and the lack of employment opportunities.

"The Government is committed to helping these people get back into work through the Work Programme which offers tailored support to ensure individuals get the help that's right for them.

"In addition our work experience scheme is giving thousands of young people the chance to show an employer what they can do and get their feet on the ladder.

"There has been a 67 per cent increase in apprenticeships in Boston and Skegness alone.

"Since the general election, the UK private sector has created over half a million extra jobs and it has been predicted that employment will rise by one million by 2015.

"To this end I very much hope the forthcoming budget will be a budget for growth and jobs."

Across Lincolnshire as a whole there were 16,032 people claiming unemployment benefit last month compared to 14,467 in January 2011.

This equates to an 11 per cent year on year rise which matches the total increase throughout England and Wales.

The ONS figures also revealed that 4.2 per cent of Boston's working age population claimed unemployment benefit last month compared to 3.7 per cent in the entire county and four per cent nationally.

For more about training courses, visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/lifelonglearning or call the Lifelong Learning team at the customer service centre on (01522) 782011.