UNEMPLOYMENT IN Pembrokeshire has dropped year-on-year, echoing a UK-wide joint lowest rate since the 1970s.

The UK unemployment rate is now 4.2 per cent – down 0.4 per cent since last year.

In March 2018, there were 1,445 claimants in Pembrokeshire, with 370 in the 18-24 age group.

Year-on-year unemployment rates have dropped in Pembrokeshire by 80 and 10 respectively.

Since 2010, unemployment in the county has fallen by 733 and 300.

The Claimant Count includes those who are on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), or who are searching for work on Universal Credit.

Pembroke Dock-based employer advisor for the Department for Work and Pensions Fred Hatton said: “These figures are all good news for the UK, for Wales and for Pembrokeshire.

“Employment continues to remain buoyant with many employers, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sector, now beginning to boost their employee numbers in time for the summer.

“In particular, Oakwood Leisure, Kiln Park Tenby and Lydstep Beach Holiday Park are now advertising positions; jobseekers should go to their websites to view the positions being offered.

“The Pembrokeshire Jobcentres continue to support these employers by advertising their vacancies on the new Find a Job website which recently replaced Universal Jobmatch.

“The new jobs site has been welcomed by many employers as it is a much simpler one for them to manage themselves.”

Mr Hatton said the local jobcentres had some upcoming special events.

“Kiln Park is holding an open day at the Pembroke Dock Jobcentre on Monday, June 18.

“National Armed Forces day is Saturday Jun 30 and to celebrate this, there are display events in Haverfordwest Jobcentre on June 30 and in Pembroke Dock Jobcentre on July 4, both in the mornings. Furthermore, Bluestone Resorts, are approaching the busy time of the season and vacancies are regularly being advertised so jobseekers should use their website to check their offered jobs on a regular basis.”

In Preseli Pembrokeshire, year-on-year claimant figures have seen an overall drop of 50, to 895, with 15 less month-on-month.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said: “These are strong figures showing that we are ahead of the UK average here in Preseli Pembrokeshire. There is still work to be done, but with record employment, more people in the workplace and fewer claimants we are definitely moving in the right direction.”