'Number of unemployment benefit claimants in Swindon is below national average' according to Department of Work and Pensions

By Roger Ogle - 18 January 2017

Community

Unemployment is continuing to fall across the UK according to new employment statistics from the Department of Work and Pensions released today, with Swindon in particular powering ahead.

New employment statistics collated from December 2016 show there has been an overall drop in the number of JSA claimants in Swindon, falling by 110 in the past month. The claimant rate nationally has fallen to 2.8%, with Swindon’s claimant rate down to only 1.3%, also a record low.

Furthermore since 2010, the number of claimants has fallen by a staggering 2,540 – a fall of over 60%. That’s 2,540 people locally who have moved off benefits in the last 6 years.

The UK figures also showed that youth unemployment had fallen by over 360,000 since 2010 and that there is both a record number of women in employment, and record overall employment in all regions of the UK as the strong economic growth is being felt in all sectors.

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the news that shows unemployment continuing to fall across the UK, and said: “By backing business we are delivering strong growth which Swindon is directly benefitting from, with a staggering 8,100 new jobs created in Swindon since 2010.

"I welcome the news that average wages are up 2.7% from last year. As the economy continues to grow, it is so important for people to feel reward from their work.”

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