THE proportion of young people claiming benefits in Ceredigion remains the second lowest in Wales.

Job figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions show the number of registered unemployed — economically active people aged 18 to 24 who are claiming job seekers’ allowance — in Ceredigion remains low at 525, or 1.1 per cent of the population.

This is a whole percentage point lower than the whole of Wales, news which has been welcomed by the manager of the Job Centre in Ceredigion, Shan Gwyn.

“We have got good news again with unemployment comparatively low in Ceredigion at 525 18 to 24-year-olds registered as unemployed,” Mrs Gwyn told the Cambrian News.

“This is a 42 per cent reduction on 2010, and with 39,000 more people in work across Wales since last year, these are excellent figures.

“We are still concentrating on working with all employers on their recruitment needs.

“So for example, in the north of Ceredigion, we have been working with Tesco and we are currently working with Marks and Spencer to help them recruit ahead of their opening in the spring.

“We have also been working with partner organisations to help those who are harder to help."

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