Basingstoke has one of the highest number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance in Hampshire.
Figures released by the Government's office for National Statistics show that Basingstoke and Deane have 2,419 people out of work.
However, across Hampshire, overall unemployment has fallen by 1,899, meaning that 15,365 people across the county are out work.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough has the third highest number of people claiming allowance with only Southampton and Portsmouth having more.
When population is accounted for, the borough is in the lower half of all Hampshire with their employment figures.
With 1.5 per cent on Job Seekers, Basingstoke comes eighth of the thirteen boroughs. Gosport, Rushmore, Havant, Southampton and Portsmouth have higher percentages.
Hart has the lowest amount of people claiming Job Seeker's, with 0.8 per cent.
Commenting on the figures, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Andrew Finney, said: “ The figures are pretty good against national or international figures which average out at about three per cent, that's not to say that we are being complacent.
“Unemployment depends on the economy to some extent, conditions today do not affect rural economies as much as urban economies which can explain the figures and here in Basingstoke, we have mixed economy.”
Cllr Paul Harvey, deputy Labour leader for Basingstoke and Deane, said: “ When we lost some of the big players, the response over loss of jobs has not been great. They have not gone out of their way to help people going unemployed.
“My question now is where are the jobs going to come from? Where are the manufacturing and engineering jobs coming from?”
The council provide have a number of schemes to help businesses struggling in the current financial climate such as the Life Line Fund.
Cllr Finney said that he hopes that the regeneration of the Malls, which started on Monday, will provide jobs and help to attract more investment to the town.
He also said the regeneration of Basing View, the 65 acre business park, would help to attract new businesses to the town.
He said:“ It is going to be tough over the next 18 months to maintain this level of employment.”
