THE number of those on Job Seeker’s Allowance in the Newton Abbot/Teignbridge area for November has fallen by one to 555, with the 18 to 24-year-olds showing another drop from 120 to 116.

A spokesman for the Department of Works and Pensions said the difference between October’s local claimant count of 640, was the gradual implementation of the new Universal Credit System into the figures.

He said last month’s figures were positive, the improved economy playing its part.

‘We have also changed our approach to individuals out of work. Where we can we are encouraging them to find work for themselves instead of the Job Centre trying to find work for them.

‘Most of the newly unemployed tend to get back to work within a 13 week period,’ he said.

Across the UK government figures maintain there are now more than 500,000 in work than during the corresponding period 12 months ago – a record rate of employment – and the south west has the highest number of women in employment at 73.8 per cent.