THE number of young people, aged 18 to 24, claiming unemployment benefits in Waverley borough has dropped to just 45 according to the latest government figures.

It marks a huge drop of 44 per cent on last year, with 35 less youngsters claiming jobseekers allowance or universal credit out-of-work payments in August than 12 months ago

For all age groups, the number of claimants has also fallen by 11 per cent year-on-year, with 365 people claiming unemployment benefits in the borough in August.

Jobcentre adviser Hazel Prior said: “There are many good colleges in Waverley as well as the University for the Creative Arts, and young people are clearly coming out of the schools more primed to seek work.

“The amount of job seekers in the borough is so low now, that people are coming in to register for benefits and within a few weeks they’re managing to find jobs for themselves.

The Aldershot Jobcentre is running free training courses and programmes to help clients find work, and the number of job vacancies is on the rise with employers now starting to put plans in place for their Christmas recruitment.

These include Southern Co-Op which is currently recruiting for its south west Surrey stores and Liphook.

Call Hazel Prior on 01252 356511.