Unemployment down

The South: Unemployment largely fell across the South in December according to Government statistics, although Dunedin and Waitaki had slight increases in benefit claims.

Monthly Ministry of Social Development figures reveal workready jobseeker and Covid Income Relief Payments declined in most areas between November and December.

Invercargill had 156 fewer people make claims, Queenstown Lakes 92 fewer and Southland about 50.

In Dunedin there was a 4% increase in unemployment claims, rising from 2955 to 3076 people receiving either benefit.

Further north, in Waitaki, five more people made claims in December than in November.