EMPLOYMENT figures released for January show little change from this time last year.

In Crewe and Nantwich 1,214 people are still claiming benefits, an increase of just six on January 2001.

However, in Congleton Borough there was an increase of 80 as the figure recorded was 785 claimants.

In Crewe and Nantwich 932 of the claimants were men and 282 were women while in Congleton 604 were men and 181 were women.