THE number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Devon fell to the lowest level on record in the County during September.

It now stands at 4,233 claimants, or 0.9% of the working age population - and over the past year the number of people aged 24 and under claiming JSA has also decreased from 1,810 to 980, which is 23.2% of the total claimants in Devon, although this figure is up slightly from 955 in August.

At 0.9% of the working age population, the Devon claimant rate is significantly below the national average of 2.3%. At a district level, overall JSA claimant numbers fell across the County, with the exception of North Devon, which registered a small increase in JSA claimants from 0.8% to 0.9% between August and September.

Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, cabinet member for Economy and Growth said: “The latest JSA figures are very encouraging for Devon and its economy as a whole, providing further evidence of an economy that's on the mend.

“However, we are not complacent and are continuing to focus on attracting inward investment through our Devon Delivers campaign and helping drive forwards our economy alongside organisations such as the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.”