THE number of people out of work fell in Wales in the first quarter of the year.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), across the UK employment increased by 137,000 in the quarter to May to 32.4 million the highest figure since records began in 1971.

Although the ONS figures show that the employment rates for Wales are at a record high, it also has one of the lowest rates of employment with an employment rate of 74 per cent among people aged 16 to 64.

South Wales Argus:

The number of people claiming Universal Credit in Newport is 3,345, Torfaen 1,980, Blaenau Gwent 1,135, Monmouthshire 605 and Caerphilly is 2,770.

Commenting on figures first minister Carwyn Jones said: “With the unemployment rate in Wales falling again to 4.5 per cent and the employment rate rising by 1.4 per cent over the year, and at a faster rate than the UK, these latest figures show a strong and buoyant economic picture for Wales.

"It is one we will keep working hard to build on. “The ongoing uncertainty around Brexit and our future trade relationship with the EU means it is more important than ever that we maintain our focus on supporting our businesses, promoting and growing our trade links with the rest of the world and creating high quality jobs here in Wales.

“Latest figures show that more than 3,000 jobs came to Wales last year as a result of investment by overseas companies. We must do all we can to encourage that vital investment to continue and just yesterday I was in Brussels to meet Michel Barnier and call on the EU27 to provide greater flexibility in order to reach a workable Brexit solution so we can avoid a catastrophic ‘no deal’ scenario.”

Matt Hughes, senior ONS statistician, said: “We’ve had yet another record employment rate, while the number of job vacancies is also a new record. “From this it’s clear that the labour market is still growing strongly. meanwhile, real earnings remain modestly up on the year, both including and excluding bonuses.”

According to the ONS There were 32.40 million people in work, 137,000 more than for December 2017 to February 2018 and 388,000 more than for a year earlier.