THE number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Devon has decreased by 8%, or 568 claimants, between February and March 2014.

The total number of claimants now stands at just 1.4% of Devon's working age population, down from 1.6% in February 2014. This is roughly half the national rate of 2.9%.

Compared to March 2013, Devon's claimant count last month was 3,108 claimants lower - a drop of 31.4%. Since last June, the number of people claiming JSA in Devon has been at its lowest level for 5 years and the rate is still dropping.