YOUTH unemployment is on the decline in the Devizes, Chippenham and North Wiltshire, with the number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance down as much as 40 per cent.

In Devizes, there are a total of 401 people claiming JSA or Universal Credit, which is down 30 per cent on June 2014 and 60 per cent on June 2010, with 103 of those aged between 18-24 years old – down 29 per cent on last year.

The figures are similar in Chippenham, with a 575 people in total claiming JSA or UC and 147 of those claimants aged between 18-24 years old, which is 33 per cent down on 2014 and 62 per cent down on 2010.

In North Wiltshire, there are 402 people in total currently claiming JSA or UC, with 93 of those aged between 18-24 years old, which is down 38 per cent on this time last year and 63 per cent on 2010.

Jill Annal, partnership manager for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Swindon, said: “This is really positive news and the figures across Wiltshire are quite similar.

“New developments have really provided a boost in the area, such as the plans for the new Tesco store in Calne. We are working with Wiltshire Council to make sure people have the necessary skills to apply for jobs when they leave school.

“The government has made it clear it is going to massively invest in apprenticeships and they are often a good way of getting young people in employment, which will help the figures continue on the right track.”

The number of 18-24 year olds claiming JSA or Universal Credit in Wiltshire as a whole is 568, which is down 36 per cent on 2014 and 65 per cent lower than the number of claimants in 2010.

Ms Annal added that the Jobcentre Plus has been working with unemployed people to help give them the skills they need to apply for jobs online and meet the requirements of employers.

“We are working hard with employers to make sure that the people we have who are out of work have the right skills to apply for the jobs that are around and have the best opportunity to get those jobs,” said Ms Annal.

“I think people are much more positive about the job market and they can see that there are opportunities around. It is important to help those who are not IT literate as the web is often where jobs are advertised, so our job centres now have Wi-Fi and PCs for people to use.”

Responding to the South West figures, Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “The strength of UK labour market is something we should take great pride in.

“I was particularly pleased to see that today’s figures show real wages growing at the fastest rate since 2007, and near record numbers of women in work.

“In the South West, the employment rate is higher than any other UK region at 77.4 per cent. As part of our one nation government, we want everyone to succeed and achieve their full potential.”