The U.S. Department of Labor recorded a surge in initial filings for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts last week compared to the week prior. A notable increase in new jobless claims, a reflection of layoffs, was reported. The weekly filing increased from 9,760 to 12,475 in the week ending Dec. 30.

Meanwhile, on a nationwide level, unemployment claims dipped last week to 202,000, descending by 18,000 from 220,000 in the preceding week on a seasonally adjusted basis. However, Rhode Island presented a contrasting trend with the highest percentage increase in weekly claims, recording an 85.2% rise. Conversely, the Virgin Islands observed the most substantial percentage decline in new claims, plummeting 78.3%.

These statistics are derived from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report, with localized versions disseminated across the country through the USA TODAY Network.