THE number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Newport has fallen again and is down six per cent compared with last year.

Figures released yesterday, Wednesday, showed there are currently 2,945 people in the city claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, down from 2,980 last month and six per cent on this time last year.

The number of those aged between 18 and 24 has fallen even more sharply, with 725 currently claiming the benefit, a drop of eight per cent compared with September 2015.

Figures are also down in Torfaen, with 1,400 people currently registered, seven per cent fewer than last year. The number of young people is also down seven per cent at 475.

Although the number of claimants in Monmouthshire is up three per cent, the number of young people claiming the benefit is down five per cent at 175.

Blaenau Gwent is the only area where the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has increased, with 495 currently registered for the benefit, an increase of four per cent. But the overall number of claimants in the area is down one per cent on last year at 1,725.

Claire Swann from Newport Jobcentre Plus said she anticipated the figures improving further still in the coming weeks.

“There’s plenty of work out there and we’ve got Christmas coming up,” she said.

Across Wales as a whole the number of people out of work fell by 35,000, or 2.3 per cent, over the past 12 months to 4.1 per cent, the lowest unemployment rate on record and lower than the overall UK rate, which is 4.9 per cent.

First minister Carwyn Jones welcomed the figures, calling it “excellent news for the Welsh economy”.

“But there is no time for complacency,” he said.

“We will continue to work hard to support business and create the economic conditions to create and safeguard sustainable jobs right across Wales.

“We continue to have big ambitions for Wales and its economy and are determined to deliver on them for the people of Wales.”

And secretary of state for Wales Alun Cairns said they statistics were “testament to the ability of the Welsh economy to create jobs and reduce unemployment”.

“Going back to work now makes better financial sense than ever, and we are ending the culture of homes with no history of a parent in work which has blighted some parts of our country,” he said.

"What today's figures reflect is a confident economy powering ahead and reaping the benefits of hard decisions taken by the previous government.

“While Brexit will undoubtedly bring challenges in its wake, the economy in Wales is in great shape to face the transition ahead."