CEREDIGION has the lowest percentage of 18 to 24-year-olds registered as unemployed in Wales, new figures show.

Just 140 18 to 24-year-olds in the county — 1.1 per cent — are registered unemployed, figures from the Office for National Statistics show this week. This represents the lowest of all local authority areas in Wales, with Cardiff in second at 1.9 per cent.

The overall number of Ceredigion’s economically active population between the age of 16 and 64 remains the same as last month at 525, or 1.1 per cent of the population, second only to Powys (1 per cent).

Shan Gwyn, manager of the Job Centre in Ceredigion, welcomed the figures and said their relationship with businesses of all sizes in the county was “key”.

She said: “These figures represent a 44 per cent reduction on the 2010 unemployment rates.

“We continue to provide support and assistance via the range of provision we have available to address barriers and issues that may be preventing individuals from returning to the labour market and into sustainable employment.

“Our interaction with both micro, small to medium and large employers within the county is key to our success, and we welcome contact from any employers who would benefit from our intervention to assist with their recruitment needs.”

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