UNEMPLOYMENT in Swindon and the south west was down 5.8 per cent between July and September to 155,000.

The news comes as it was announced that unemployment for the whole country has fallen to its lowest total for over a year - down 49,000 in the quarter to September to 2.51m. It is the lowest figure since last summer.

James Manners, business manager at TBG Learning Swindon, an organisation which helps get unemployed people back to work, praised the news.

“It’s good news that unemployment is at its lowest total for this year," he said.

"Providers are working hard to support people both into employment but also to remain in employment, progress and build real careers. Job sustainability is our key focus.”

The National Online Manpower Information System reported that nearly 4,300 people in Swindon are currently claiming job seekers’ allowances.

More good news came when it was reported that the number of people in work increased by 100,000 in the latest quarter to just under 30m, a rise of over half a million people in the last year.

It was also announced that part time employment had increased by 49,000 to 8.1m, the highest it had been for several years.

However, it was not all good news as it was said that the number of people who are claiming job seekers benefits rose by 10,100 to 1.58m people – the highest it had been since July 2011 and the biggest monthly increase since last September.

The average wage in the UK was revealed as £471 with average earnings increasing by 1.8 per cent.