THE number of people claiming job-seeking benefits is down in Teignbridge.

Across the district the ‘claimant count’ of those on Job Seekers Allowance or searching for work on Universal Credit was 685 last month, November. This is 40 less claimants than in November last year, a decrease of six per cent.

In the 18 to 24-year-old category there are 155 claimants on job-seeking benefits, five less than in November last year, a decrease of three per cent.

The Government announced last week that unemployment is at 4.3 per cent, the lowest level since 1975, and that every month in 2017 figures have shown a fall in the unemployment rate.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, also show that employment remains at a near record high, with 32.08 million people in work. There are also a record number of vacancies (798,000) in the economy at any one time.

Minister for Employment Damian Hinds said: ‘We’re ending the year on a strong note with figures showing the unemployment rate has fallen every month in 2017, and is now at the lowest it’s been in over 40 years.

‘Employment is at a near-record high, and there are over three million more people in work now compared to 2010 – that’s more than the population of Greater Manchester. Universal Credit is helping people get into work quicker, and ensuring they get more money in their pockets for every hour they work.

‘Universal Credit supports both the unemployed and the low paid, as people don’t have to end their benefit claim when they find a job. This is especially important at this time of year, when many people take on temporary seasonal work.’