Unemployment in Devon continues to fall

The number of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in Devon decreased even faster than nationally between March and April 2015, falling by 323 claimants (7.5% lower than March’s figure).

Total claimants for April came to 3,974, representing just 0.9% of the working age population of Devon.

JSA for Devon has fallen by 33% between April 2014 and April 2015, and a huge 57% since April 2011, when claimants stood at 9,451.

All of Devon’s eight districts experienced a decreased number of claimants between March and April 2015; North Devon falling the most by 12.6%.

Torridge once again had the highest proportion of its working age population in Devon claiming JSA at 1.4%. However, this is still significantly below the national average of 1.9%.

Youth unemployment, (the number of people aged 24 and under claiming JSA), also fell by 14.8% for Devon between March and April 2015,  with all districts seeing a reduction since March.

East Devon showed the greatest fall of 24%, now standing at 95 claimants, although youth unemployment in Devon as a proportion of the total claimants is slightly above the national average.

Such a drop is in line with the usual reduction in youth claimants for this time of year, as Devon’s seasonal industries start to ramp up employment in time for the summer season.

Devon County Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:

“This month’s JSA figures are again a very reassuring sign that Devon is moving in a positive direction.

"The continued month on month fall in youth unemployment experienced recently is encouraging.

"However, we are continuing to focus efforts on tackling areas with high youth unemployment through schemes such as the personal mentors project, which we intend to extend further across Devon.”