Do you know what help and support is available at Cwmbran’s Jobcentre Plus? Watch Clare Djordjevitch from the centre talks about how they help people get back into work.

She said the work coaches in the centre love the part they play in helping people find jobs.

“I remember last year, coming up to Christmas, there was a lovely letter from someone saying ‘I can actually buy my kids Christmas presents for the first time because I’m in work.’ The satisfaction is great. That’s why they do the job. They are all very good at what they do.”

Universal Credit in Torfaen

There are 1,370 people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit in Torfaen.

Universal Credit is replacing six benefits (Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credit) and is paid monthly in a single payment.

Since Cwmbran went ‘live’ with Universal Credit she said they are seeing people in the centre who are working full-time or are self-employed but need to claim tax credits so are in the figures but not necessarily unemployed.

Clare said: “There are a range of jobs opportunities available around the Newport and Torfaen area. As well as the array of seasonal jobs opportunities in retail and hospitality, Admiral in Newport is currently recruiting for claims handlers and retention consultants. Burton’s Biscuit are looking to take on production operatives and We Fight Any Claim has various call centre positions available.”

Unemployment in Wales

The latest quarterly figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) were published last Wednesday and showed that the unemployment rate for Wales was 4.1%, a fall of 0.3% on the previous quarter. The level of unemployment has also fallen (by 5,000) to 62,000.

New Enterprise Allowance: start your own business

Clare said the New Enterprise Allowance had recently helped someone in the area set up as a barber.