THE level of unemployment in Wales has fallen by 66,000 since 2010 to 59,000, according to the latest statistics.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics also revealed the employment rate remains high - 75.5 per cent - with a record number of people in employment and more than 3.3 million more people in work since 2010.

The figures also revealed the number of women in work in Wales has increased by 63,000 since 2010.

However, a number of areas in Gwent have seen a rise in the number of claimants using Universal Credit.

Newport has seen an increase of 42 per cent, Torfaen has seen an increase of 34 per cent and Monmouthshire has seen an increase of 39 per cent.

But Caerphilly is the only area to see a fall by 17 per cent.

The UK Government's work and pensions secretary Esther McVey said: “Since 2010, employment has risen and unemployment has fallen in every single region of the UK.

"And with an average of 1,000 people moving into work each and every day, and three quarters of all new jobs in permanent, full time and high skilled roles, this shows our welfare reforms are working and delivering for people across the country.”

And First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones said: “At 3.8 per cent, unemployment in Wales remains at a record low, falling 0.5 percentage points on the quarter and 0.3 percentage points on the year.

"Meanwhile employment in Wales stands at 75 per cent which is is 0.8 percentage points up on the quarter and 2.5 percentage points up on the year.

“These figures are again testament to the Welsh Government’s hard work to support and grow the resilience of businesses in Wales, and to make it easier for people to access quality jobs, closer to home.

“With a Brexit deal yet to be secured, these remain challenging and uncertain times for business and last month we were pleased to announce an additional £7.5m to help companies in Wales manage the challenges of Brexit and build up their resilience.

"We are also continuing to work hard to drive up Welsh exports and just this week have taken 58 Welsh companies to major trade fairs in Germany and Abu Dhabi to support them to develop new trading relationships and break into new markets.”

The figures also showed nationally that 973,000 more disabled people are now in work since 2013.