LATEST data has shown that despite a county-wide increase in the unemployment claimant count, local unemployment has reduced.

Forest of Dean’s unemployment figures for July showed 1,365 people on the claimant count, a decrease from June’s figure of 1,380.

Gloucestershire as a whole however saw its claimant count increase. July’s figures show 10,635, an increase of June’s 10,370. This represents a rate increase to 2.7 per cent, from June’s 2.6 per cent.

The claimant count is a measure of the number of people who are unemployed and claiming benefits. It is simply a count of people claiming relevant benefits, so it is subject to changes in benefit rules and welfare to work schemes.