THE number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in the Scottish Borders rose by more than five per cent last month.
Figures released on Wednesday revealed that 2,102 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the Borders in mid-January, up from 1,984 in December.
Last month’s total is the highest it has been since April 2012, but is still 172 less than the January 2012 figure.
Of the 2,012 people claiming the unemployment benefit, more than a quarter have been doing so for 12 months or more.