Pembrokeshire's December jobless total shows a small increase over the previous month. With 1,090 people claiming benefit - just 93 more than November, 2007 - Pembrokeshire had 1.6 per cent unemployment, the fourth lowest rate in Wales, where the average was 2.2 per cent. Compared to the corresponding month in 2006, there were 258 fewer people out of work in December. This is the 20th consecutive month where the county has recorded a year-on-year improvement. As a result, the average number of people out of work in 2007 was 23 per cent lower than in 2006 compared to an improvement of only eight per cent for Wales. Another indication of the county's performance against the Welsh average over time is that in 2000, Pembrokeshire accounted for 5.15 per cent of all the unemployment in Wales. By 2007, this had reduced to 2.58 per cent. There is always a seasonal increase in unemployment at this time of year and this is most marked in the southern part of the county. This year, the monthly increases were Fishguard and St. Davids Travel To Work Areas (TTWA) - plus four; Haverfordwest TTWA - plus 29 and Pembroke and Tenby TTWA - plus 58. However, all three TTWAs have significantly lower unemployment than last year. Said Pembrokeshire County Council deputy leader, John Allen-Mirehouse, who is also cabinet member for economic development and regeneration: "If the normal pattern continues, we can expect to see a further small increase in unemployment across the county in January before the numbers begin to fall again in February."
