The number of jobless in Wales fell to 90,000 over the last three months statistics released today show.

The figure represents a fall of 9,000 and comes as Wales sees the biggest increase of any UK nation or region in the last quarter.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show employment in Wales has increased by more than any other UK nation and that the proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds in work here has never been higher.

Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said: “Today’s record employment figures confirm that our long-term economic plan is delivering for people at every stage of their lives, right across Wales.

“We now have more people in work than ever before, and are seeing a continued fall in the number of young people out of work. Added to the fall in economic inactivity and unemployment levels, there can be no doubt that this one nation Government is honouring its commitment to ensure the economic recovery is felt by all sections of society.”

Across the rest of the UK, unemployment increased for the second consecutive month, topping 1.85 million. The jobless total rose to 25,000 in the quarter to June.

First minster Carwyn Jones said: ”Today’s figures show employment in Wales at a record level as we have out-performed every other part of the UK. Over the past quarter we have seen 42,000 more people in employment in Wales, compared to falling employment for the UK over that same time.

“Unemployment in Wales has also fallen by 9,000, in contrast with increasing unemployment across the UK. Economic inactivity has continued to fall at a faster rate in Wales than across the UK as a whole, where it flat-lined.”

ONS statistician David Freeman said: “This is now the second consecutive time we’ve reported fewer people in work on the quarter. While it’s still too early to conclude that the jobs market is levelling off, these figures certainly strengthen that possibility. Growth in pay, however, remains solid.”