Further fall in unemployment in Plymouth

The number of people out of work and claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Plymouth fell to 5,142 in August, 3% of those of working age (16 to 64), according to official figures.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, reflect an ongoing downward trend in unemployment in the city and represent a seventh successive month-on-month fall in the 'Clamaint Count' figures, based purely on those claiming JSA.

The overall regional unemployment figure for the South West, based on wider data beyond just those claiming JSA, fell slightly by approximately 1,000 in the last quarter to July. The number now stands at 167,000, 6.2% of the working age population, a percentage unchanged from the previous quarter.