Guernsey unemployment figures 'may rise further'

Unemployment in Guernsey could continue to rise, the Social Security minister has warned.

At the end of December, 409 people were unemployed in the island, a rise of just one on November, but up from 367 at the end of 2011.

Deputy Allister Langlois said: "We were pleased the December figure held steady... that's as much as we could have reasonably hoped for at present.

"The next couple of months will be telling for the longer term trends."

Last April, unemployment reached a 15-year high with 435 people out of work

The total unemployed registered at the end of December represents 1.3% of the working population.

A further 154 people were registered as unemployed but earned some money, including those who worked part-time and some full-time employed people who were still eligible for supplementary benefit on top of their earnings.

A further 29 people were registered on training schemes.

In Alderney, there were 13 people registered as unemployed at the end of 2012.