UNEMPLOYMENT has continued to fall in the Vale of Glamorgan, according to the latest employment statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Figures released on Wednesday, October 18, suggested the number of jobseekers in the Vale had fallen to just 1,350, a drop of six per cent on this time last year.

Of these, 360 were from the DWP's main priority group – young people aged between 18 and 24.

The figures were broadly in line with the rest of Wales, which has seen the proportion of those claiming benefit while job searching drop to just 4 per cent – a lower figure than that of the UK overall which has fallen to 4.3 per cent.

Figures for Wales as a whole however showed that while there were 11,000 less people considered unemployed and looking for work compared with three months ago, the number of people classed as 'economically inactive' had similarly risen by 11,000 during that time.

A person classed as economically inactive is someone who does not work, but is also not considered to be either looking for or available for work.

Typically, these may be people who are either studying, have full-time caring responsibilities or are suffering from long-term illness.

First Minister Carwyn Jones and Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns however both welcomed the figures.

Carwyn Jones said: “Today’s figures show that Wales has an unemployment rate that is lower than the UK average and that the unemployment rate here has fallen faster than in the rest of the UK over the quarter.

“We are continuing to work hard to grow and build resilience within Wales’ economy."

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, added: "It is great to see the unemployment rate in Wales fall below the UK average. The UK Government is working hard to create the right conditions for economic growth, investment and jobs in Wales and this month’s statistics demonstrate the strength of the Welsh economy.

"There is, however, more that needs to be done to increase the rate of employment."

Jobcentre Plus Manager Darren Gibbon said there was no reason why the downward trend in unemployment could not continue into next year.

"There are a huge amount of opportunities in Cardiff at present, especially in the hospitality, retail and care sectors," said Mr Gibbon.

"For me, if you're looking for jobs, they are there.

"We recently hosted a very successful jobs fair in the Memo in Barry where 650 people came along. We had 40 employers there and some actually had jobs going on the day.

"With the Christmas recruitment period coming up and with retail firms taking on throughout that, we would expect to see another spike in the figures over Christmas."