JSA rate in Devon now 45% lower than the UK average
The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Devon has fallen again between April and May 2014, dropping by 423 claimants – a fall of 7.2%. This means that the number of people claiming JSA in Devon now stands at 5,420 or just 1.2% of the working age population.
This figure is now 2,917 claimants or 35% lower than it was 12 months ago, in May 2013. The UK JSA rate as of May 2014 is 2.7% of the working population, so the JSA rate in Devon is now around 45% lower than the UK average.
Within Devon’s districts, the news is equally as encouraging. In North Devon and Teignbridge, the claimant count fell by 11.5% and 10.2% respectively to 1.2 % of the working population for both districts. In East Devon, there was an 8.3% drop and in Torridge an 8.2% drop. This means that the JSA rate in East Devon now stands at 0.9% and in Torridge 1.9%. Exeter recorded a 6.5% fall in claimants, to 1.4% of the working population and in South Hams there was a 2% fall, down to 0.9% of the working population. In West Devon, there was no change in the claimant count, however it is important to note that the JSA rate here is just 1.1% of the working population – the 3rd lowest in Devon.
There is also positive news relating to youth unemployment, where the number of JSA claimants aged 24 and under has fallen again by 12% or 155 claimants. This represents around 23.6% of JSA claimants in Devon and 1.4% of the youth population. Most importantly, for the first time since June 2008, the proportion of JSA claimants aged 24 and under in Devon is lower than the UK figure.
This is extremely significant, as youth unemployment represents a key barrier to sustainable economic growth and remains a major priority for Devon County Council. The Council has worked with partners such as Careers South West on schemes to support young people into employment. These include our promotion of apprenticeships schemes and close liaison with employers.
However, as Devon County Council cabinet member for Economy and Growth, Councillor Andrew Leadbetter explains, "Although unemployment remains very low in Devon, there are still other issues which pose a threat to sustainable economic growth. We have a highly skilled and well qualified workforce, yet business productivity and wages are still significantly below the UK average in many parts of Devon. Therefore a key priority for the council is to help our businesses expand and grow, as well as bringing high value jobs to our county by securing inward investment."
"The Economy and Enterprise team work extensively to make business support as easy to access as possible and are raising the profile of Devon as a business location, for example though our marketing campaign and working with the West of England Aerospace Forum and and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to showcase our aerospace businesses at the Farnborough international airshow in July."
