THE number of people unemployed in Wiltshire is at its lowest since 2004, according to a report presented to Wiltshire Council cabinet members today.

For the second quarter of the year, the number of Wiltshire residents claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) was fewer than 1,900 – 0.7 percent of the working age population in the county.

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Wiltshire Council cabinet member with responsibility for economic development and skills, said: “It’s encouraging to see our JSA figures continuing to head in the right direction.

"We have one of the highest levels of employment in the country, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure our local economy is thriving by encouraging further investment.

“We will keep working hard alongside partners including the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the local business community to drive further growth in the county.”

Wiltshire’s employment rate rose to just under 80% for the 12 months ending June 2015, a return towards the peak levels achieved in 2009, and is 2.5% above the regional average and 6.5% above the national average.

For the same period last year (Q2 2014/15), there were just over 2,900 people claiming JSA. The September 2015 figures represent a 37% fall in the number of people claiming JSA across Wiltshire over the last 12 months.

A council spokesman said: "By supporting people with training and skills development, attracting employers and investment into the county, supporting existing businesses and providing a comprehensive and efficient planning service, the council has supported the creation of nearly 2,650 new jobs in the last 12 months."