Black unemployment figures soar in US, days after Trump takes credit for record low

Rates jump from 6.8 per cent to 7.7 per cent in the space of a month

Experts have suggested that the US President is not responsible for either the rise or the fall in the numbers of African Americans out of work (AP)

Black unemployment rates in America have soared by almost one per cent after Donald Trump took credit for bringing them down to a record low.

Statistics showed the percentage of African Americans out of work hit 6.8 per cent in December – the lowest rate since the figures were first broken down by race, in 1972.

The President boasted about the figures in his State of the Union speech, suggesting it was a result of his economic policies.

“And something I’m very proud of, African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded,” he said

But figures released on Friday showed the rate had risen to 7.7 per cent, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.

General unemployment rates in America have stayed low at 4.1 per cent for the fourth straight month, with around 200,000 jobs added in January.

The news comes days after a spat between Trump and rapper Jay Z, who condemned the President’s attitude towards people from African countries in an interview with CNN.

He told the news channel: “It’s not about money at the end of the day,” and it “doesn’t equate to happiness”.

Donald Trump hit back on Twitter, saying: “Somebody please inform Jay-Z [sic] that because of my policies, Black Unemployment has just been reported to be at the LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED!

“Our economy is better than it has been in many decades. Businesses are coming back to America like never before. Chrysler, as an example, is leaving Mexico and coming back to the USA. Unemployment is nearing record lows. We are on the right track!”

Experts have suggested that Trump is not responsible for either the rise or the fall in the numbers of African Americans out of work, CNNMoney reported, as the number has been steadily declining from a high of 16.8 per cent in March 2010, around the time of the recession.

When Mr Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, the rate was at 7.8 per cent according to official figures. This was the lowest it had been in almost a decade, having declined significantly while Barack Obama was in charge.

Salaries are also increasing in America. Wages grew in January from a year ago at the fastest pace in eight years, evidence that low unemployment is forcing some employers to pay more to keep or attract workers. Factories, hospitality firms and restaurants were among industries reporting pay increase.

Additional reporting by PA