The number of people in Devon claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen for the second consecutive month.
The claimant count across the county has fallen from 9,988 in March to 9,451 people in April, a 5% decrease month on month, which is faster than the national trend of 0.1%.
The working age population in receipt of JSA has dropped from 2.2% to 2.1%.
Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said: “ Devon’s claimant count falling for the second month running is good news for our economy. It had been expected that the figures would show a rise due to public sector job cuts. It is encouraging to see that there is a high level of recruitment in the tourism and agricultural sectors.”
Compared with this time last year, the claimant count is down from 9,463 in April 2010 to 9,451 in April 2011.
ENDS
