Unemployment in the borough has soared in the last year as Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants rose by almost 70 per cent.

This week’s figures from the Office for National Statistics show 6,430 people claimed the benefits this May, about 2,700 more than last May.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the situation was under control, but questions are being raised over the ability of Wandsworth’s Jobcentres to cope.

Justine Greening, Putney MP, said: “If we have unemployed people who need support to get back into work, it shows how short-sighted ministers were in closing things like Putney Jobcentre.”

She added: “They spent all sorts of money on shutting Jobcentres. Now they’re finding they haven’t got enough capacity.”

Putney Jobcentre closed in 2006, leaving just one other in the borough, Wandsworth - aside from the Battersea Job Shop for construction vacancies.

People on Jobseeker’s Allowance now make up 3.1 per cent of the working age population, or around one in 32 - the highest rate since February 2000.

All wards have seen an overall rise, but the traditionally more deprived wards, like Latchmere and Roehampton, have been hit hardest.

In Latchmere, where a 2001 survey showed only around a third of people had higher level qualifications, 5.6 per cent of the working age population are now claimants.

Meanwhile in well-to-do Thamesfield, where nearly two thirds were found to have higher level qualifications, only 1.7 per cent are claimants.

But in contrast to national trends, figures in Wandsworth are well below those of 1996 and 1997, when claimants soared to more than 10,000.

Those seeking the benefits among school and college leavers is 9.4 percentage points below national average at 19.5 per cent.

A spokesman for DWP said: “We have a flexible system which is coping well with the increased demand.

"We want to ensure that people are well-placed to find a new job quickly, and are working closely with external partners and local authorities to monitor support.

“Jobcentre Plus has made a considerable investment in information technology to improve customers’ experiences by providing easier access to services. Jobseeker Direct has saved many people the time and expense of travelling to a Jobcentre Plus office.

“In London this last year we have been actively recruiting more staff for our frontline services. This operational year alone we have recruited 340 new staff and will be recruiting a further 1,600 by September.”

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