The number of people claiming jobseekers allowance (JSA) in Elmbridge has fallen for the sixth consecutive month this year.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics last week revealed that 946 people who live in the borough claimed the benefit in July 2013, compared with 1,186 in February this year.

Statistics also revealed that the number of unemployed people in Elmbridge claiming JSA, 1.2 per cent of the population, was lower than the south-east average of 2.1 per cent and the whole of Great Britain’s, 3.4 per cent.

Of the claimants in the borough, 597 were men and 349 were women, with 59 per cent of claimants between the ages of 25 and 49.

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, said: “Thanks to the difficult decisions that have been made to rein in waste and excess spending, plus a drive to reduce business taxes and red-tape, the economy continues to create more local jobs.

“We need to build on this momentum, to give local businesses every support to help drive the recovery.”

Of JSA claimants in Elmbridge, 57.9 per cent have been receiving the benefit for less than six months, while 19.14 per cent have claimed it for between six and 12 months, with 22.34 per cent claiming for more than 12 months.

The borough had its lowest amount of JSA claimants in December 2007 at just 415, just 0.5 per cent of the borough’s population.