UNEMPLOYMENT in Swindon is continuing to fall, the latest figures from the Job Centre have shown.

Fifty-nine people have found work in the last month and are no longer claiming job seekers’ allowance, bringing the total number in the town down to 1,388 people.

Julie Marshall - Swindon Job Centre Plus’s work coach – revealed the centre had been very busy in the last month helping people get into jobs, having welcomed a number of employers to the centre itself to meet potential workers. These included Total Security, William Hill and a health care company.

Earlier this week the centre hosted its very own care fair when 100 people seeking work in this field were invited along to meet with employers and discuss opportunities that are available, with a large number leaving the event on Tuesday with an interview.

“I think employers liked it because they could meet prospective employees face to face and discuss the role with them,” said Julie. “Also this month we held an NHS taster day at the Great Western Hospital, where 12 people who attended were offered places in the Get Into The NHS Programme.”

Other people who have applied for positions have found themselves working at M&S as part of a retail recruitment drive.

The decrease in the number of people claiming benefits comes amid a backdrop of rising employment across the South West as a whole. Between March and May there were 2,725,000 people in work, which is 39,000 up on the previous three month period, and 58,000 more than this time last year.

Nationally the employment rate has hit a record high of 74.4 per cent, with 31.7m people in work, dropping the unemployment rate to 4.9 per cent – the lowest since 2005.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: “We’re determined to make Britain a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. This includes helping more people of all ages and abilities to get into, and stay in work.

“There’s good news in the South West where there are over 2.7 million people in work, with an employment rate of 77.9 per cent - one of the highest rates for any UK region.

“Clearly, good progress has been made, and I’m encouraged to take forward the agenda to create an even more resilient labour market.”