Jobcentres in the county want jobseekers to celebrate the new year with a new role.

The Gloucestershire labour market is still buoyant, and Jobcentres in the county are dedicated to ensuring jobseekers find work and employers fill their vacancies.

The latest statistics show that jobseekers are falling right across the county, although Gloucester remains the area with the most people out of work.

The latest ONS Claimant Count by Local Authority figures are:

• Cheltenham - 1,775 claimants, down 24% in a year

• Cotswold - 865 claimants, down 28% in a year

• Forest of Dean -1,200 claimants, down 17% in a year

• Gloucester - 2,100 claimants, down 19% in a year

• Stroud - 1,170 claimants, down 25% in a year

• Tewkesbury - 1,105 claimants, down 14% in a year

Mike Nicholls, Jobcentre manager from Gloucestershire, said: "Our work coaches, specialist employer advisers and disability employment advisers are carrying on the great work they did last year into 2023.

"At the end of 2022, we held some great events in the county highlighting our priorities. For example, in December, Cheltenham Jobcentre hosted a hugely successful event for customers with health conditions and disabilities, with a wide range of local employers and support organisations, as well as disability employment advisers (DEA), sector based work academy programme executives, work coaches and a Ukrainian translator all on hand to help customers find the right support for them."

Stuart Seagrave, DEA, said: "It gave those organisations and employers present the opportunity to network and show that people with health issues are perfectly capable of fulfilling their recruitment needs."

In addition, Jobcentres in Gloucestershire have been looking at more mature and experienced jobseekers, who are over 50 years old but will still make great employees, and ensuring they are treated as a priority.

Jobcentres in the county have been working with partners to arrange additional support for this age group.

At the end of January, there will be a further change to Universal Credit, which will allow work coaches to spend more time with claimants on low earnings and work with them to increase the amount of money they take home.

Guy Opperman MP, minister for employment, said: "It is positive to see more people moving into jobs or taking steps to search for work.

"Helping people to secure a reliable income is a priority as we start this year. Across our Jobcentres we provide one-to-one tailored support for every jobseeker, breaking down barriers for those thinking about re-entering the workforce, such as older workers or those who have been out of work due to ill health."