UNEMPLOYMENT in south Essex has risen again, after a summer lull.

Figures released from the Office of National Statistics show 300 more people are now out of work and looking for a job than were a month ago.

The increase means local unemployment has almost returned to its 2009 peak, with a total of 16,973 out of work in the Southend, Castle Point, Basildon and Rochford areas.

In Southend, 5,038 people were signing on when the latest figures were compiled, on August 13 – 127 more than the July figure.

In Basildon, the total was up from 4,574 to 4,641, Castle Point unemployment rose by five to a new total of 1,823, and in Rochford, a further 44 signed on, bringing the total to 1,241.

Thurrock’s total was 4,230, up 32 on July.

Unemployment in the area peaked in May, at 17,035, then declined for two months, mainly because of extra seasonal jobs.

Viewed from a longer perspective, the present south Essex total is almost 4,000 higher than it was in January – and more than twice the August 2008 total of 8,353.

John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chamber of Commerce, said: “There is evidence firms are starting to replace people who have left, either through resigning or retiring, but the economy is still not strong enough for additional jobs to be created.”

He added: “The jobless figures are rising again and I am sure this is because seasonal work has come to an end. It will carry on increasing until it gets closer to Christmas, where there will be more seasonal work.”

The increase is in line with the national unemployment trend, with the latest national jobless total of 2.47million the highest in 14 years. Nationally, unemployment has increased by 210,000 in the three months since July.