With yesterday’s jobs figures showing that Britain has the lowest unemployment since 1975, local MP Stephen Crabb has welcomed the continuing fall in the number of claimants in Preseli Pembrokeshire. Last month the number of unemployed claimants was 150 lower than a year ago – a drop of 15%.
The figures, compiled by the independent Office for National Statistic, show that the number of claimants in Preseli Pembrokeshire was 805 in October. This is 150 lower than in October 2016 and 15 lower than in September 2017. There was also good news on youth unemployment with 210 claimants aged 18-24 in October 2017, 25 lower than October 2016.
Across Wales 44,000 more jobs were created in between March and June 2017.
Stephen Crabb said: “These are another set of promising figures for Pembrokeshire, showing that we are still moving in the right direction. I have been impressed with just how upbeat many of our local businesses continue to be despite some of the challenges around. Brexit is clearly the biggest issue for industry and commerce, but so far the order books have continued to grow. The weaker pound has actually helped a number of local businesses that manufacture and export. As we approach Brexit in 2019 my focus as local MP, and as a member of the Brexit Committee in Parliament, will be to ensure as little disruption for business as possible whilst also looking ahead towards new opportunities that can emerge.”