Unemployment in Hertfordshire has remained at around five per cent for the past three months, according to data to be reported to councillors nest week.

According to the data, the unemployment rate in the county – of those aged between 16 and 64 – rose from around two per cent to five per cent, between March and May.

It has remained there for the past three months.

And a report prepared for a meeting of the county council’s performance and resources cabinet panel on Friday (September 4) suggests it could increase further.

“The unemployment rate in Hertfordshire has risen steeply to around five per cent and has remained there for the last three months,” says the Covid-19 data report.

“This is likely to rise further as the government’s current job retention scheme comes to an end on 31st October and local, regional and national economic conditions remain difficult.”

The report also suggests the number of jobs available in the county has decreased too – with figures showing 31 per cent fewer job postings in July than during the same month last year.

It states: “The number of job advertisements placed by employers in Hertfordshire fell by 35 per cent in June compared to the same time last year.

“The gap narrowed a little in July as economic activity began to pick up.

“The position in Hertfordshire precisely mirrors the regional pattern.”

According to the report 90 per cent of eligible businesses in Hertfordshire have received funding through the ‘Small Business Grant’ scheme. Almost all of the funding available in Hertfordshire has been allocated.