11:03am Sunday 20th January 2008
By Nichole Sarra
Despite unemployment figures in December showing a slight increase, the county recorded a year-on-year improvement for the 20th consecutive month.
Pembrokeshire's December jobless total showed 1,090 people claimed benefits, 93 more than in November.
The county had 1.6% unemployment - the fourth lowest rate in Wales. The national average is 2.2%.
Compared to the corresponding month in 2006, there were 258 fewer people out of work at the end of 2007.
As a result, the average number of people unemployed in 2007 was 23% lower than in 2006.
The Wales-wide improvement was just 8%.
Traditionally, the county always sees a seasonal increase in unemployment over the festive period although this is more greatly marked in the south of the county.
Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration John Allen-Mirehouse said: "If the normal pattern continues, we can expect to see a further small increase in unemployment across the county in January before the numbers begin to fall again in February."
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