From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com
The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Bristol has fallen to its lowest level since February 2009, latest statistics show.
The Office for National Statistics said 9,709 people claimed JSA in October, 3.3% of the city’s population and a fall of 375 from the September figure. 
The number of JSA claimants reached a peak of 13,287 during February 2012, meaning this particular measure of unemployment has revealed a fall of 26.9% since the economic downturn bit hardest.
Overall, Britain’s jobless rate is edging closer to the 7% threshold that will prompt the Bank of England to consider raising interest rates.
The unemployment rate dropped from 7.8% in the three months to June to 7.6% – its lowest level in four years – in the quarter ending in September following the 48,000 drop in joblessness to 2.47m on the internationally agreed labour force survey measure.
Britain’s rising population means that a record number of people – 29.95m – are in work but the employment rate remains lower than it was before the deep recession of 2008-09.
Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney said yesterday the economic recovery in Britain was now established and gaining strength, but refused to be drawn on when he predicted an interest rate rise may be put in place.
