The number of people in Devon claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen for the third consecutive month.
The claimant count across the county has fallen from 9,451 in April to 8,999 people in May, a 5% fall, which compares well with the UK average decrease of 1.1%.
The working age population in receipt of JSA has dropped steadily from 2.2% in March to the current figure of 2%. The national figure stands at 3.7%.
Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said: “ It is good to see Devon’s claimant count falling for the third consecutive month with seasonal employment providing a welcome boost. It is also encouraging to note that the unemployment rate in Okehampton which has suffered company closures and relocations has begun to fall.”
ENDS
