UNEMPLOYMENT in the Vale of Glamorgan has fallen by more than a half in the last seven years.

Figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions on Wednesday (March 15) show that the claimant count in the Vale fell by 1790 or 55 per cent since 2010.

This is a fall of 110 or seven per cent on this time last year meaning the total figure currently stands at 1470.

Youth unemployment for those aged 18-24 has fallen by 745 (66 per cent) since 2010 and by 45 (11 per cent) since last year and now stands at 380.

Jobcentre manager, Darren Gibbon, said there was a "really positive" trend.

"The picture is still a good one. Employment is increasing and people are getting into jobs.

"I would advise people to make the most of job centres and use our work coaches as people have different barriers."

Employment in Wales is currently at 73.3 per cent.

First minister Carwyn Jones said: "These latest statistics show that the jobs market in Wales is continuing to outperform almost every other part of the UK with an employment rate that is 0.4 percentage points up on the quarter and 1.6 percentage points up on the year.

Meanwhile our unemployment rate is now 0.3 percentage points lower than the UK average and 0.8 percentage points down on the year.

"Economic inactivity in Wales is also down on both the quarter and the year.

"We are continuing to work hard to grow the Welsh economy and are constantly looking to the future."