WASHINGTON: Unemployment in the Vale of Glamorgan has fallen by six per cent in a year. Figures released this week by the Department of Work and Pensions show that the total claimant count now stands at 1,345 which is a fall of 85, equating to six per cent. Youth unemployment, for those aged 18-24, has dropped by 15 or four per cent down to 355. Jobcentre manager, Darren Gibbon, said this showed there was still a “healthy picture”. “The figures are really good considering there is normally a spike in claims in January.
“There needs to be a conversation about universal credit which has not yet been fully rolled out yet,” he said. But he added that there are a lot of vacancies and some healthy activity in the area. He said: “There are opportunities to find work even post Christmas. “Customer service, cleaning, hospitality and support work all have vacancies in the Vale and Cardiff area.” February marks hospitality month at the job centre and Mr Gibbon said that the Vale’s proximity to Cardiff means that residents can take advantage of opportunities there. In Wales, there are 24,000 more people in work than this time last year meaning employment stands at 1.44 million.
First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said: “Improvements to the employment, unemployment and economic inactivity rates in Wales over the past year have exceeded improvements in the UK rates. “Today there are 24,000 more people in employment in Wales than 12 months ago and unemployment in Wales remains at a consistently lower rate than across the UK as a whole. “Economic inactivity and claimant count in Wales have also decreased over the past year. “We have big ambitions for Wales and its economy and will continue to work hard to support business and ensure the economic conditions to create and safeguard sustainable jobs and training in Wales,” he said.
