30 year low in unemployment (From Free Press Series)

30 year low in unemployment

MONMOUTH people are working again as unemployment levels in the area are at their lowest point for 30 years.

And since 1997 those that have been long term unemployed has fallen by 85 percent.

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards welcomed the new figures and said: "We all remember when unemployment nationally was well above three million.

The idea that unemployment could fall to its lowest level for 30 years was a pipe dream as long term unemployment blighted the lives of thousands here in Monmouth."

Sue Duggan, Business manager for Jobcentre Plus for Monmouth and Abergavenny, said: "We are naturally delighted with these latest figures, which reflect the numbers of customers currently claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

"We have a number of new employers coming into the area with whom we are working very closely.

"We are also liaising with other parties in the community to support customers claiming benefits who may wish to move into work."

Mr Edwards added: "Thankfully we have put the nightmare of mass unemployment behind us. But we can't be complacent.

"We have a chance to secure a high employment society for us all. We must not turn back to the bad old days."

There are now 28.3 million people in work in the UK and the employment rate is 74.8 percent, up from 74.6 percent a year ago.