Claims for unemployment and social benefits have fallen by more than $100,000 in the last year.

United Bermuda Party Senator Allan Marshall revealed that claims fell from $582,000 in October 1996 to $472,000 in September 1997.

He also said 1,200 new jobs had been created and unemployment was running lower than two percent.

Mr. Marshall said: "There has been a 19 percent decline in claims made against the public purse. And during the same period, the number of people receiving aid for housing assistance has fallen from 399 to 379.

"In reality, jobs and opportunities have been created for all Bermudians.'' Mr. Marshall, speaking in the Senate, was denying claims by the Opposition Progressive Labour Party that the UBP Government had caused "homelessness, joblessness and hopelessness'.

He added: "Registered unemployment is now below two percent. The inflation level has declined to just over two percent and real GDP growth is exceeding two percent.'' Sen. Neletha Butterfield, responding for the PLP, said: "If these jobs are being created, I would like to see where they are.

"We also need to do more to help those training for work, especially in prison.'' She said training certificates from prison, bearing the name Westgate Correctional Facility, were instantly ignored by employers. "The name of the prison shouldn't be on the certificates,'' she said. "That's something which really needs to be looked at.

"Perhaps they could bear the name Bermuda National Government or something like that.'' She added that Government could improve education for work by introducing a computer training project for children.

Independent Senator Alf Oughton said it was vital Government protected union rights for staff if they wanted to keep up their record on unemployment.

He welcomed the forthcoming Trade Union Amendment Act forcing employers to recognise unions.

Sen. Oughton said: "There's been a marked decline in labour relations in this country in recent years.''