THE increase in unemployment in Warrington is amongst the smallest of any town or city in the UK.

Think tank Centre for Cities has studied the Office for National Statistics’ latest labour market statistics, which showed that all 63 large settlements measured saw an increase in unemployment month on month as a result of the coronavirus.

But the figure for Warrington was up by only 0.1 per cent between June and July, while it was as high as 0.4 per cent in other areas.

The town had the sixth lowest rise in unemployment between March and July 2020 of the towns and cities included in the study with 2.7 per cent.

It also had the eight lowest benefits claimant count overall, with 5.3 per cent of working age residents being classed as unemployed.

ONS data nationally recorded the biggest fall in employment in more than a decade over the past six months.

A Centre for Cities spokesman said: “Every large city and town has seen an increase in unemployment claims since last month.

“The increase ranges from less than 0.1 percentage point in Derby, Mansfield and Warrington to 0.4 percentage points in Aberdeen, Slough and Glasgow.

“It is likely the furlough is still protecting many people from becoming unemployed – it is too early to assess how the phasing out of the scheme will affect people’s job opportunities.

“Weaker city economies in the north and Midlands are more likely to have higher claimant count rates than stronger city economies in the south east.

“Lastly, the number of young people claiming unemployment related benefits continues to rise – especially in places with weaker economies.”