The number of people signing on the dole in Oxfordshire has risen for the second month in a row, bucking the national trend.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show 6,842 people claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance in January, a rise of 280 on the previous month.

But nationally the claimant count fell for the third month in a row, down by 12,500 to 1.54 million, the lowest since June 2011 following a huge increase in employment.

Unemployment, including those not eligible for benefit, fell by 14,000 in the final quarter of last year to 2.5 million — 156,000 lower than a year ago.