Unemployment in Braintree district has dropped to its lowest level in five years.

Last month 1,949 people claimed Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA), the first time the amount of claimants has dropped below 2,000 since November 2008.

The claim rate of 2.1% is significantly below the national average of three per cent.

Young people continue to suffer the worst unemployment problems, with five per cent of 18-to-24-year-olds claiming JSA last month in the district.