Unemployment going down, latest figures reveal.

UNEMPLOYMENT continues to fall in Carmarthenshire with a recorded drop of over 26% for the past year.

Latest figures reveal a fall in claimants for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) of 26% in the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr area; of 25.9% in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire; and 24.3% in Llanelli.

The statistics issued by the Department for Work and Pensions show a steady reduction in unemployment from March 2014 to March 2015, at 26.3% down over the year.

It fell by 2.2% from February to March with the biggest drop recorded in the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr area of 6.6%.

There are currently 2,166 JSA claimants in the county, of these 1,389 are male and 777 female, a total of 1.9% of the population in Carmarthenshire.

The highest number of people unemployed – some 955 – are in the age category 25 to 44.

Menna Davies, Employer and Partnerships Manager at Jobcentre Directorate, Ammanford said: “Jobcentres have seen a steady rise in employers contacting with urgent vacancies – many from factory and construction sectors.

“Also several administrative jobs notified. Employers are keen to discuss recruitment and future recruitment at the moment.

“Seasonal work has also accounted for 10 people going into work from the Carmarthen area.

“Work experience continues to be an excellent route into work with seven youngsters from the county being given an opportunity with local employers.”