Keswick bucked the UK unemployment trend as its total of Universal Credit claimants dropped to 369 last month.
The town’s reduction of 11 came as the national total rose to 5.6 million, up 1.8 per cent or nearly 100,000 claimants.
“Any fall in the current circumstances is very welcome,” said partnership manager Shane Byrne, from the Department for Work and Pensions in Cumbria.
However, Keswick’s total was still the seventh highest of all 31 wards in Allerdale and was ahead of the three others in the North Lakes: Derwent Valley (58), Wharrels (47) and Crummock (33).
The town’s total was 2.9 per cent down on its July figure but a massive 218 more claimants than in March when lockdown started, which means there has been a rise of 144.4 per cent since then.
The official August unemployment figures are for people receiving Universal Credit, including those not seeking or able to work. Kewick’s total was 150 for those on Job Seeker Allowance and in the Universal Credit searching for work group.
Mr Byrne also suggested that there could be more good news on the way for Keswick, where he used to run the local Jobcentre before it closed.
Many hospitality businesses in the Lake District have been busier in September than might have been expected before coronavirus prevented most people from holidaying abroad.
In addition, the Government is launching its Kickstart scheme in November to tackle a national surge in youth unemployment. Small and medium businesses, such as guest houses or hotels, can employ people aged 16-24 over the next two years, with the Government paying them for six months on the national minimum wage – plus £1,500 also going to the employer.
Mr Byrne said: “Kickstart is specifically designed to prevent 16-24-year-old scarring from long-term unemployment.
“There is a real worry that it is more difficult for them to get a toehold.”
