IN the Cotswolds youth unemployment and the amount of people claiming job seekers allowance is falling, according to the Department of the Work and Pensions (DWP).

In figures that it circulated last month, the DWP recorded that 335 people are signing on, which is 17 per cent less than it was a year ago.

Figures also states that there are 69 unemployed people aged 18 to 24 in the district - 27 per cent less than this time last year.

Mike Nicholls, job centre manager for the district said that the drop in youth unemployment was down to the DWP encouraging youngsters to take up work experience and providing them training in a variety of sectors such as hospitality and retail.

He said: “That has been a big drop, it just shows that in the Cotswolds there has been a big improvement.”