THE latest employment figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of unemployment remains at 4.3 per cent – the lowest in 40 years.

Welcomed by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, who is also Minister for Employment, the figures also show that employment remains at a near record high, with 32 million people in work, with the strength of the economy continuing to drive an increase in full-time and permanent work.

Mr Hinds saifd: “When unemployment fell to five per cent early last year, many people thought it couldn’t get much lower, and yet it now stands at 4.3 per cent. Everyone should be given the opportunity to find work and enjoy the stability of a regular pay packet, and the Government’s welfare reforms continue to support that effort.”

The number of claimants within East Hampshire is 345, which is largely unchanged.

Commenting on the job situation for Alton and Bordon, Hazel Prior, employer adviser for the Department for Work and Pensions, said that November had been a busy month for vacancies.

“Many companies have been recruiting since October for extra employees to cope with the Christmas rush,” she said. “Taking a seasonal job is a great opportunity to find out if you enjoy a particular type of work and gives the chance to see any internal vacancies that may come up while you are there, giving you a head start of getting a permanent job.”

Mrs Prior said she had been working with United Parcel Service, which has seasonal vacancies across the Alton and Bordon areas. No driving is required, the openings are for drivers’ helpers – delivering small packages to customers on foot. While a sack barrow is provided to pull the load, a lot of walking is involved so applicants need to be physically fit. The job is for 10 or 20-hour per week shifts working Monday to Friday.

Mrs Prior also sought to flag up the Bordon Future Skills Centre. Located just off the A325, and accessible by bus to claimants from neighbouring Jobcentres, the skills centre is described as “a fantastic purpose-built facility” and has been built as part of the regeneration of Bordon and Whitehill to provide local training on a wide range of subjects, which will include construction.

“By making links with our external partners we will seek employment opportunities through the new town development,” said Mrs Prior.

She went on to report that the Alton and Bordon Jobcentres have become busy hosting recruitment events for the Priority Appointments and Brook Street agencies, offering warehouse and production vacancies in the area.

In addition, Apex Care was due to hold a recruitment event at Alton Jobcentre today (Thursday). Apex is a domiciliary care company whose clients vary from frail elderly people to younger people with physical or mental disabilities, and who have chosen to live in their own homes. Apex carers help with anything from shopping and housework to personal care and night sitting and offer a really good rate of pay.

To find about these and other jobs call in at:

* Alton Jobcentre Plus, on Butts Road: from 9am-12.30pm and from 1.30pm-5pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, or call 01420 606606.

* Bordon Jobcentre Plus, on Chalet Hill: from 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm on Monday, or 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm on Wednesdays, or call 01420 602612.