THE number of people out of work in south Essex has more than doubled in a year to over 17,000.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in May there were 17,035 people claiming jobseekers’ allowance. In May last year there were 8,498 jobless.

The changes vary from authority to authority. In Southend the number has more than doubled, while Castle Point has seen a less dramatic rise.

Statistics show Southend has 4,958 people out of work, up from 2,431 a year ago. In Basildon, there are 4,656 jobless, up from 2,625.

The town has suffered a number of large employers making redundancies, including 170 at the Visteon car parts plant in April. Case New Holland’s tractor plant gave about 150 workers 90 days’ notice in May. Delivery firm DHL Express confirmed it was closing its branches on the Burnt Mills industrial estate, putting 22 people out of work. Homebase closed in Pitsea, while furniture giant Land of Leather went into administration, closing its branch at Westgate Park, Basildon.

However, the increase for south Essex appears to be slowing, with just 45 more unemployed from April.

Statistics show 30 more people in both Southend and Basildon are claiming jobseekers’ allowance. Castle Point had 36 extra people claiming, totalling 1,901 people out of work.

There was a surprise turn around for Thurrock, which dropped by three people to 4,308, and Rochford, which had 42 less people claiming unemployment benefit at 1,212.

John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chamber of Commerce, said it was too early to see this as the green shoots of recovery.

He said: “It is a bit of a respite, but I think that’s all it is. I think we will see this pattern until the end of the summer. We are still talking about an extra million people out of work by next year nationally. Businesses in Essex seem to be affected less and will recover sooner.”

Carl Watson, chairman of Rayleigh Chamber of Trade, added: “For once this is positive news, but it is too early to say if this is the start of a recovery.

“From the figures, it seems Rochford is in a good position to weather the worst of the recession.”

Jobseekers’ allowance pays £60.50 per week for people aged over 25 who are out of work.