The number of peole claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell across the region

Figures released today show a continuing fall in unemployment figures across the region.

In Norfolk, those claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) fell from 17,854 in March to 17,041 in April and more than 1,000 down on the Febraury high of 18,104.

In Suffolk, there was a fall from 13,182 in March 2011 to 13,019 last month while in Cambridgeshire, JSA totals fell by three from 8,606 on March to 8,603 in April.

Breakdowns of districts across the region, showed falls in the number of jobless in virtually every area, notably Great Yarmouth where the numbers caliming JSA dropped from 3,680 in March to 3,353 in April.

In Norwich the figure fell from 4,392 to 4,338.

Nationally, figures published today by the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment has fallen by 36,000 on the quarter to 2.45 million. For 16-24- year-olds not in education the figure has fallen 40,000 on the quarter to 646,000.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling welcomed the figures.

He said: 'These are welcome figures showing another rise in full-time employment in the private sector. It's good news to see that unemployment is also going in the right direction and pleasing that unemployment has fallen for young people.

'We're determined to tackle youth unemployment, which is why we've taken steps to ensure that young people get the best possible support to get back to work, including lining up thousands of employers to provide work experience places and introducing apprenticeship places. From next month our new Work Programme will be available for people of all ages who need extra tailored support to get into jobs.'

See tomorrow's newspaper for full report and analysis.