UNEMPLOYMENT in Gwent has fallen from this time last year, figures have shown.

The official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that unemployment in the UK has fallen by 239,000 over the past year. In Wales, the number of people in work rose by 48,000, bringing its total employment to 1.4 million.

The number of people unemployed in Wales is now 82,000 which is 5.5 per cent of the population. In the period from September to November 2015 unemployment fell by 11,000.

Debra Morgan, work service manager at Pontypool job centre, said there has been a reduction of 1,315 jobseekers allowance (JSA) claimants in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire compared with this time last year.

In Newport, the amount of claimants fell by 945 compared with last year which included 305 fewer young people claiming jobseekers allowance.

Figures show the number of people claiming jobseekers at the end of last year was 2,665 in Newport and 1,430 people in Torfaen.

In Torfaen, there are 230 fewer claimants compared to last year which includes 55 young people. In Monmouthshire, there are 140 fewer jobseekers allowance claimants compared with last year which includes 55 young people.

Ms Morgan said: "It is a positive slant in light of the recent announcement from Tata Steel. From the Job Centre Plus’ point of view we will be working with the Welsh Government to support in any way we can those affected by the job losses."

She said the opening of Friars Walk in Newport 'absolutely' had an impact on the reduction of those claiming jobseekers allowance in the area. She said in Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen 169 new businesses have been created in the past year as a result of the new enterprise allowance scheme.

Figures from the ONS show there were 255 fewer claimants in Caerphilly and 260 fewer claimants in Blaenau Gwent at the end of last year compared with 2014. The highest number of claimants in Gwent is in Caerphilly with 3, 565 and 1,620 people claimed in Blaenau Gwent.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Over the last year Wales has seen the joint largest reduction in the unemployment rate of anywhere in the UK, down 22,000. The fall in the claimant count levels in Wales has been amongst the highest across the UK and inactively has declined more sharply."

They said this week's Tata Steel announcement has been a 'stark reminder of the challenges to Wales in a global market' and the Welsh Government will work 'tirelessly to provide support during this challenging time.'

Shadow minister for the economy, William Graham, AM for south Wales east, said: “Today’s figures once again highlight the fragility of the economic recovery in Wales.

“Employment in Wales remains the third lowest for any region in the UK, which highlights the need for the Welsh Labour Government to do all that it can to deliver year-round, sustainable job opportunities for Welsh workers.”