Encouraging signs in labour market

The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Devon has fallen for the first time since last October and at a faster rate than the national average. Encouragingly youth unemployment rates have fallen significantly since this time last year.

The claimant count across the county was down by 239 from 9,842 in February to 9,603 in March.

The Devon figures reflect the national trend, however the month on month decrease of 2.4% has occurred at a faster rate in Devon compared to the UK (1.8%).

The claimant count in Devon stands at 2.1% of the working age population, which remains below the national figure of 3.9%.

Year on year the number of people claiming JSA in Devon has fallen by 1,406 claimants or 12.8%, which is reducing at a faster rate than the national average of 4.9% over the year.

Youth unemployment in Devon also reflects a similar picture and has fallen from 3,615 in March 2012, to 2,830 in March 2013, a fall of 785 claimants.  Even though this reflects the national trend, the year on year decrease has occurred at a faster rate in Devon (21.7%) compared to the UK (14.3%).