The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in April continues to fall which is particularly encouraging. This sees claimant count fall from 9,988 in March to 9,451 in April, representing a 5.4% decrease month on month. This also sees the rate of the working age population who are receipt of this out of work benefit drop from 2.2% to 2.1%. This follows the trend seen nationally (UK), although rates are increasing somewhat faster in Devon. In comparison with our neighbours, the rate of JSA claimants in Devon has remained below all areas and the national average for the last twelve months.
The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in March has fallen for the first time in sixth
months, which is particularly encouraging. This sees claimant count fall from 10,159 in February to 9,988 in March, representing a 2% decrease month on month. However, the rate of the working age population who are in receipt of this out of work benefit remains the same at 2.2%. This follows the trend seen nationally, although rates are decreasing somewhat faster in Devon. In comparison with our neighbours, the rate of JSA claimants in Devon is lower and has also remained lower the national average for the last twelve months.
Economists tend to get over excited whenever there is a budget: the combination of arcane theories, a
plethora of facts and figures, technical changes and a redirection of policy can be too much for some.
Thankfully this budget was a much more staid affair. For his first March budget George Osborne had little
room to manoeuvre given that last year’s paradigm shifting Comprehensive Spending Review set the
parameters for this year. Instead the Chancellor was left with tinkering at the margins of procedure and