UNEMPLOYMENT figures for the Isle of Man show that there were 979 people without work at the end of December last year.

Statistics released by the Treasury show that there were 731 males unemployed and 266 females.

This is an increase of 184 people compared to December 2010.

The number of males unemployed has risen by 150 compared to the same time period last year. 

There were 46 people under the age of 18 who were unemployed and 19 people who required a work permit.

During December 225 people signed on and 217 people signed off – a net increase of eight.

A total of 233 vacancies were notified to the Job Centre during the month. At the end of December 93 positions were still vacant and held on file.

These figures give an overall unemployment rate of 2.2 per cent.