THE NUMBER of people claiming benefit in Haringey has dropped by nearly 2,000 in 12 months according to recent employment statistics.

Figures show that 5,452 people are claiming benefit in the borough compared to the 7,380 people who were claiming last year.

This is good news for the borough who last year had one of the highest percentage of people claiming benefit in London at 8.8 per cent of population.

The new figures can be attributed to the high number of schemes active in the area, whose aim is to get people back in to work.

The Haringey Action Team for Jobs, run by Reed in Partnership, have successfully found work for more than 200 people since opening its doors one year ago.

The Government is so impressed with the team, which has also helped a further 400 people with job advice and training they are extending the programme to other areas.

The team, one of four run by Reed in Partnership for the Government, have also successfully helped refugees find work.

More than 100 Turkish and Kurdish people, who face a range of cultural, language and bureaucratic barriers have received help.

Managing Director Chris Melvin said:"The nationwide picture may be of near full employment, but we know that in specific neighbourhoods throughout the country there are very real skills shortages.

In some areas of Haringey unemployment is as high as 15.7 per cent against a national average of five per cent."

He added:"We've proved that action teams can provide an effective way of tackling these problems if local employers and community partners are involved from the start, and we will be working hard to ensure we replicate that success in the years to come."

A spokesman from Haringey Council added: It really is down to the organisations working together over many years to improve training, education and access to jobs.

Part of the problem has been the amount of jobs available. Haringey only has work for 50,000 people in comparision with 240,000 in Camden.