The number of people in Tunbridge Wells claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance has gone down by more than half since the height of the recession, figures have revealed.
Six years ago there were 1,104 local residents who were unemployed and looking for work, while today there are 535 – a reduction of 52 per cent.
In the youth category, the figures are even more impressive. Since 2010 there has been a fall of 65 per cent in the number of 18 to 24 year olds claiming unemployment benefits, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
“There is a lot more work about these days, but there is also a lot more support available from Jobcentres,” said Adam Sales of Maidstone Jobcentre.
“There are also plenty of recruitment drives and more work coaches to help people get back into employment.”
