UNEMPLOYMENT rates have decreased dramatically across South Ayrshire as local figures are the lowest on record.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Ayr alone the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has reduced from 2,086 in December 2014 to 1,713 by December 2015.

The number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming JSA for under six months has reduced from 450 in December 2014 to 315 by December 2015. This beats January 2013 when unemployment rose to 935.

Those in the same age group on JSA over six months has gone down from 360 in January 2013 to 75 by December 2015.

It is another good news story for Girvan where unemployment figures have dropped from 173 to 107 in the last year - almost 40 per cent.

Those in the 18 to 24 age group range on JSA for less than six months has dropped by 50 per cent down to 25 claimants by the end of 2015.

It is a similar story for those collecting the benefit long term as there are just five people meeting a work placement advisor at their local centre regular.

Numbers in Troon have also lowered from 182 in December 2014 to 147 in December 2015. 

The number of 18-24-year-olds on JSA for less than six months has decreased from 40 to 25 and those claiming long term has dropped from 15 to 5 which is 75 per cent.

Speaking about the latest figures, Lynn Hammil, spokesperson for DWP, said: “These figures are the lowest on record which is fantastic news for all of South Ayrshire. 

“The economy is booming in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK. South Ayrshire has the highest employment rate in Scotland.”

The DWP offer a number of services to get people back into work and many new employment opportunities will be created throughout 2016.