THE number of unemployed people in Mid Devon fell dramatically over the last year, dropping 12 per cent.

In December 2014, 386 people were claiming job seeker’s allowance, with that number having now fallen to 340.

In particular, the number of 16 to 24 year-olds fell in the district by 38 per cent.

This number is even higher in Tiverton, where the number of young JSA claimants fell by 43 percent, from 70 to 40.

This fall is in line with the rest of Devon, as the number of people claiming job seeker’s allowance has reach the lowest on record, 3,602.

Devon County Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, cabinet member for Economy and Growth, said: “The latest reduction in JSA claimants for December is great to see - JSA claimants once again at historically low levels.

“Devon County Council continues to back schemes aiming to reduce unemployment further – working closely with local businesses and educational institutions to ensure both current and future workforces are suitably skilled.

“This includes investing in vital 21st century infrastructure such as rural superfast broadband; digital skills through initiatives such as Devon’s Fab Lab; and ensuring that Devon’s devolution proposition to government helps us tailor skills to our local economy.”