UNEMPLOYMENT in Devon has fallen for the second consecutive month.

UNEMPLOYMENT in Devon has fallen for the second consecutive month.

The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) dropped from 9,988 in March to 9,451 people in April.

The five per cent month-on-month decrease is faster than the national trend of 0.1 per cent. The working age population in receipt of JSA has dropped from 2.2per cent to 2.1 per cent.

Councillor William Mumford, Devon County Council cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “It had been expected that the figures would show a rise due to public sector job cuts. It’s encouraging to see there is a high level of recruitment in the tourism and agricultural sectors.”

Compared with this time last year, the JSA claimant count is down from 9,463 in April 2010 to 9,451 in April 2011.