Unemployment rates in Bexley are down by a quarter from last year, with hundreds of people no longer claiming unemployment benefits.

Some 2,064 Bexley residents were claiming unemployment benefits in May, which is 751 less people than at the same time last year, and a reduction of 27 per cent.

Among young people aged 18-24, there were only 490 claimants in May, a reduction of 26 per cent from 665 last year.

Long-term unemployment has also reduced, with only 405 people claiming benefits who had been out of work for a year in May, compared with 690 last year.

District operations manager for Job Centre Plus Mark Swindells said: "It’s feeling good out there.

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Mr Swindells

"We are seeing the vast majority of jobs created are private sector, full-time and permanent.

"But we are not complacent. There are still people out there who need help and support."

Mr Swindells said job growth locally had been boosted by Ocado hiring new delivery drivers, as well as jobs in social care, distribution and retail.

Job Centre Plus help Bexley residents become more employable through partnerships with Bumble Bee Alliance, The Tank Project and Social Learning, who run lift engineering courses.

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