YOUTH unemployment continues to plummet in South West Wiltshire according to new figures published by the government, with 50 per cent fewer 18-24 year olds claiming JSA benefits.

The number of 18-24 year olds currently claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit stands at 121, which is half of the amount who claimed benefits this time last year and 71 per cent less than the number of claimants in 2010.

Overall, the figures for Wiltshire show that 2,253 people are currently claiming JSA or Universal Credit, which is 31 per cent down on the number of people claiming this time last year and 62 per cent down than the number of people claiming in 2010.

The number of 18-24 year olds claiming JSA or Universal Credit in the county as a whole is 568, which is down 36 per cent on 2014 and 65 per cent lower than the number of claimants in 2010.

Jill Annal, partnership manager for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Swindon, said: “The fact that the number of young people claiming JSA or Universal Credit is down 50 per cent in South West Wiltshire is good news.

“There are a number of factors to take into consideration, but the jobs created by companies like PEP&CO coming to Warminster are really beneficial in cutting the unemployment numbers.

“Obviously we have also had Wagamama open in Trowbridge and restaurants like that are very attractive to young people as they have long working days, which means they can fit shifts in around college.

“We have also seen other jobs come about around the St Stephen’s Place development, while the new developments at the Peter Black and old Bowyers sites will hopefully bring more jobs to the area when they are built.”

Ms Annal added that the Jobcentre Plus has been working with unemployed people to help give them the skill they need to apply for jobs online and meet the requirements of employers.

“We are working hard with employers to make sure that the people we have who are out of work have the right skills to apply for the jobs that are around and have the best opportunity to get those jobs,” said Ms Annal.

“I think people are much more positive about the job market and they can see that there are opportunities around. It is important to help those who are not IT literate as the web is often where jobs are advertised, so our job centres now have Wi-Fi and PCs for people to use.”

Responding to the South West figures, Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “The strength of UK labour market is something we should take great pride in.

“I was particularly pleased to see that today’s figures show real wages growing at the fastest rate since 2007, and near record numbers of women in work.

“In the South West, the employment rate is higher than any other UK region at 77.4 per cent. As part of our one nation government, we want everyone to succeed and achieve their full potential.”