Devon’s JSA claimants lowest on record

Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in Devon are at a new historic low after falling by 58 during July,  with the total claimant count now standing at 3,029.

Of Devon’s eight districts six experienced falls , ranging between one and 34 claimants.

In Exeter the number of claimants rose by 30 claimants and in South Hams the number increased by just one. The largest fall of 34 claimants was seen in East Devon.

The claimant rate (proportion of the county’s working age population claiming JSA) remained largely the same with East Devon, Teignbridge and Torridge falling by 0.1% with the rest remaining unchanged. 

Claimant count rates for all of Devon’s Districts are well below the national average of 1.4% - Torridge the highest at 0.9%, with East Devon and South Hams the lowest at 0.5%.Torridge is also well below the neighbouring regions of Plymouth and Torbay, both at 1.8% and 1.5% respectively.

Youth claimant numbers across Devon (claimants aged 24 and under) fell by 40 between June and July 2016. The average youth claimant rates in Devon are around the national average and have been steadily falling, having halved since 2012.

At a district level, all of Devon’s districts either experienced falls in youth claimants or remained unchanged from June. East Devon and South Hams experiencing the largest fall of 10 claimants each.

Devon County Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:

“It is exceptionally encouraging to see JSA levels at their lowest on record for a fourth month in a row.
   
"As a council we continue to work closely with local businesses and educational institutions to help drive forward Devon’s economy and ensure further reductions in JSA claimants.

"This includes continued collaboration on LEP wide schemes to boost high productivity employment, as well as schemes such as the Devon Delivers Business Promotion grant which helps Devon’s businesses to tap into growing markets.”