UNEMPLOYMENT has risen slightly in Teignbridge, according to the latest figures.

Yet the number of young people out of work has seen one of the biggest falls in the county.

Claimants of job seeker’s allowance rose by five between August and September, against the countywide trend which has reached an historic low.

The total claimant count in Devon now stands at 2,848.

Seven of Devon’s eight districts either experienced falls in JSA or remained unchanged over the period.  

While Teignbridge rose by five claimants, with Exeter experiencing the greatest fall of 37 claimants.

Youth claimant numbers across Devon – claimants aged 24 and under – fell by 50 claimants between August and September.  

Devon’s average youth claimant count rate fell by 1.2 per cent to 13 per cent, remaining below the national average of 13.9 per cent for the period.

At a district level, all Devon’s districts with the exception of west Devon either experienced falls in youth claimants or remained unchanged from August.

Exeter experienced the largest fall of 15 youth claimants, closely followed by north Devon, Teignbridge and Torridge at 10 claimants each.

Devon County Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for economy and growth, said: ‘It is fantastic to see JSA claimants continue to fall, even in this period of economic uncertainty.

‘We continue to work closely with local businesses, educational institutions and the Local Enterprise Partnership to support schemes which aim to reduce unemployment and strengthen the Devon economy.

‘The second round of our Community Impact Support Scheme is providing grants to community projects supporting adjustment to welfare reforms. We are also funding new additions to our network of work hubs, providing a range of much-needed workspace for start-ups and small businesses.

‘This is in addition to our network of innovation centres and provision of a range of support to businesses across Devon.’