The number of people claiming out of work benefits in Caerphilly County Borough has fallen, according to latest statistics.
As of last month, there were 3,205 people claiming either Jobseekers Allowance or out of work Universal Credit – down by 515 people, or 14%, when compared to the same month last year.
It is the first set of figures released by the National Office of Statistics which combine the two out of work benefits.
Mick Firby, Manager of Caerphilly town’s Jobcentre Plus, said the fall was encouraging and reflected the increase of support in helping people back into work.
He said: “We have drop-in sessions at our centres where people can get advice on searching for jobs, how to do covering letters, CVs, application forms and interviews.
“We also have the Money Advice Service come in and give financial advice.”
Mr Firby also said a lot of people have managed to find work at HMRC’s offices in Llanishen.
He added: “The Cardiff labour market is good for us. It’s easy to get there and we have a lot of people going there.”
The Office for National Statistics data also shows that 19,000 more people were classified as employed in Wales between July and September when compared to the previous three months.
However, those classed as unemployed also rose slightly by 3,000 in the same period when compared to the previous quarter.
But there are now 23,000 fewer unemployed in Wales than a year ago.
The unemployment rate in Wales is now 4.4% compared to 4.8% for the UK as a whole.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said Wales was outperforming the rest of the UK.
He said: “As a pro-business government, we are continuing to work hard to support the right economic conditions to help create and safeguard jobs right across Wales.
“Whatever happens in the world around us, we will continue to provide a strong, stable and secure environment for business and enterprise.”
The UK Government’s Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns MP, added: “A strengthening economy combined with the results of welfare reforms have translated into one of the brightest jobs market pictures we have seen for some time.
“We are seeing the strongest progress in areas like Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent; those parts of Wales which have traditionally suffered deep-rooted unemployment.”
Let’s have a bit of financial aid so we can have an overseas company set up a big employer in the area. But be a bit clever about it this time.
“First Minister Carwyn Jones said Wales was outperforming the rest of the UK.”
Really? It does not seem that way when I go to England, all I know is that I earn only 20% of what I earned ten years ago and I am not alone. The Welsh problem, and I do realise that industrial regions of England suffer from the same thing, is that relatively well paid jobs are being replaced by low earning jobs. As far as our out of touch politicians are concerned one job is the same as another.
I would like to see figures on gross pay now compared to gross pay (adjusted for inflation) in 1985. This would be a far better indicator of how well we are doing.