New figures show that half as many people in Barnet are claiming unemployment benefit than in 2010.

This comes as the Labour Force Survey, released on Wednesday, revealed a near record low in unemployment across the capital at 5.6 percent, with the national rate sitting at 4.7 percent, the lowest in 12 years.

The NOMIS figures show the number of Barnet benefit claimants has dropped to 3,625 as of February 2017, compared to 7,332 in 2010 and 7,154 in 2012.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The picture for our residents continues to be positive.

“This is in no small part down to the investment we have made in working in partnership with our local authority colleagues, large employers and partners to provide access to jobs for those who can work and help for those who need support to enter the labour market.“

The LFS also showed that the number of people on zero-hours contracts has risen by 0.3 per cent, which equates more than 100,000 people.

But while zero-hours contract holders tend to be young or part-time workers, the NOMIS figures show the number of 18 to 24 year-olds claiming unemployment benefit in Barnet has dropped by 68 per cent since 2010.