Unemployment in Caerphilly County Borough fell last month by 3.1%, latest figures show.
Despite the fall in people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance between May 2012 and June 2012, Caerphilly MP Wayne David has said the figures are still a cause for concern.
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance went from 5,959 in May 2012 to 5,770 in June 2012 – a drop of 189 or 3.1%.
Although the total fell month-on-month, the June 2012 figure still represents an increase of 462 (8.7%) compared to June 2011.
As of June 2012, the Caerphilly Parliamentary constituency has 2,629 people claiming JSA (against 2,740 in May 2012) and the Islwyn Parliamentary constituency has 2,272 (against 2,347 in May 2012).
Welcoming the small fall in the number of people who are unemployed, Mr David pointed to the fact that despite this, unemployment in Caerphilly is actually higher now than it was at the same point last year.
He said: “Of course, I welcome this month’s fall in unemployment in Caerphilly. But the figures also show that there is absolutely no room for complacency. Despite this month’s small reduction, unemployment is actually higher in Caerphilly than it was this time last year.
“The Government’s failed economic policies mean that this country is in double-dip recession. What the people of Caerphilly need now is for Ministers to finally realise their policies are not working and come up with a plan for jobs and for growth to get the economy moving.”