UNEMPLOYMENT figures in the Cotswolds are bucking the national trend, according to information  released by a statistics organisation.

Nomis, which is based at Durham University, says the number of people unemployed in the Cotswolds dropped from 1700 to 1400 between January and December 2014.

And the figures show that three per cent of people unemployed in the Cotswolds – compared to the national average of 6.2 percent.

Anthony Flynn, president of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is of course very positive but it shouldn’t overshadow the fact that many young people are struggling to get into work. But it is generally positive and Cirencester seems to be on the up.

“Cirencester seems to be doing well itself because everybody seems to be pulling together as a town.”

He added that young people could boost their employment chances by doing work placements when studying at university.

“The main thing that can be done to get people ready for work as a student is to experience the world of work, not just an academic point of view.”

Cotswold MP Geoffrey, Clifton Brown welcomed the news of the drop in the number of unemployed in the district.

He said: “In The Cotswolds we are lucky to have a very low unemployment rate. The number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in April 2015 was 403, which represents 0.9 per cent of the economically active population. This is 167 lower than April 2014.

“This is very good news and shows the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that lives in The Cotswolds, which has one of the highest number of home businesses in the Country. I frequently visit businesses up and down The Cotswolds and also encourage them to expand where possible and provide any assistance I can.

He added that the drop shows that the Conservative Party is delivering jobs, and security that comes with that, which were promised at the General Election thanks to its Long Term Economic Plan (Conservative’s economic strategy).

“I am confident that employment will continue to grow in The Cotswolds as the Government create the best conditions possible for our economy to thrive throughout the country.

“It is also encouraging to meet a large number of apprenticeships in The Cotswolds, which give a real alternative to young people that do not want to attend university.”

According to figures released earlier this month by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 400,000 extra people are in work in the UK compared to a year ago, while unemployment has also fallen nearly 350,000 over the same period to its lowest level since August 2008.

Figures released by the DWP also showed that in Wiltshire 1300 people are claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Universal Credit - a decrease of 36 percent in the number of people making claims this time last year.

And according to the DWP, across the Cotswolds 346 people are claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Universal Credit - a reduction of 113 compared to last year.

The proportion of the workforce claiming benefits because they are unemployed is 2.3 per cent - the lowest it has been since 1975.