THE number of young people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Stroud has fallen by 45 per cent in the last year, according to figures released today, Wednesday, by the Office for National Statistics.

Across the UK youth unemployment has fallen by three per cent since 2010, while unemployment saw the largest annual fall in 26 years, dropping by 468,000, which brings the rate to a new six-year low of 6.2%.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has been falling for the last 22 months - with 423,600 fewer claimants than a year ago - and is now below 1 million for the first time since the recession in 2008.

In Stroud there is a 42 per cent drop in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and a 45 per cent drop in the number of 18 to 25-year-olds claiming it, according to Mike Nicholls of the Stroud Jobcentre Plus.

“Stroud is a huge success story especially for youth employment,” said Mr Nicholls.

“We work with a lot of local colleges and companies who run work experience programmes which helps lead to full-time employment.”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith has welcomed the new figures as proof that the Government’s long-term recovery plan is working.

“All of our reforms are focussed on helping people off benefits and into work – giving people the peace of mind and security that comes with a steady income,” he said.

“With the South West seeing 91,000 more people in work compared to a year ago, we are helping people to break free from welfare dependency, look after themselves and their families, and play their part in getting our country back to work.”

Labour’s Shadow Employment Minister Stephen Timms has welcomed the fall in overall unemployment but expressed his concerns about the fall of real wages.

“New figures have shown working people are seeing their pay falling far behind the cost of living,” he said.

“Under this Government wages after inflation have already fallen by over £1,600 a year since 2010 and by next year working people will have seen the biggest fall in wages of any Parliament since 1874.”

However, according to Mr Nicholls the fall in real wages is not a big issue for most people who visit Jobcentre Plus in Stroud.

“Claiming benefits is not a luxury for people and virtually any job is going to pay more than Jobseeker’s Allowance,” said Mr Nicholls.

The number of people visiting the centre in Stroud has also dropped by nine per cent in the last month – from 759 at the end of July to 688 at the end of August.

“This drop means that there are less people coming in to make claims because they are unemployed,” he added.

According to Mr Nicholls in Stroud there is mostly a call for jobs in the care sector and hospitality sector, although they are keeping a close eye on the construction sector as talk of new homes and a new supermarket continue to circulate.