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| Welsh unemployment falls by 2,000 | Welsh unemployment falls by 2,000 |
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| Unemployment fell by 2,000 in Wales between October and December last year to 122,000, latest figures show. | Unemployment fell by 2,000 in Wales between October and December last year to 122,000, latest figures show. |
| The new total is an increase of 21,000 on the same period in 2008. | The new total is an increase of 21,000 on the same period in 2008. |
| The unemployment rate in Wales now stands at 8.6%, while across the UK it is 7.9%, according to the most recent Office for National Statistics figures. | The unemployment rate in Wales now stands at 8.6%, while across the UK it is 7.9%, according to the most recent Office for National Statistics figures. |
| Meanwhile, around 250 new temporary jobs are to be created for young people living in parts of north Wales, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has announced. | Meanwhile, around 250 new temporary jobs are to be created for young people living in parts of north Wales, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has announced. |
| The number of people "economically inactive" in Wales stands at 436,000, 24.3% of the working age population. | The number of people "economically inactive" in Wales stands at 436,000, 24.3% of the working age population. |
| The small rise in the claimant count shows just how fragile the situation is. Make no mistake, there is no room for complacency Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones | The small rise in the claimant count shows just how fragile the situation is. Make no mistake, there is no room for complacency Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| Unemployment in the UK fell by 3,000 to 2.46m. | Unemployment in the UK fell by 3,000 to 2.46m. |
| There was a mixed picture around the UK, with areas including Scotland, London and the south east England all recording an increase in unemployment for the most recent quarter. | There was a mixed picture around the UK, with areas including Scotland, London and the south east England all recording an increase in unemployment for the most recent quarter. |
| The largest fall in unemployment was seen in the west Midlands, with a drop of 16,000. | The largest fall in unemployment was seen in the west Midlands, with a drop of 16,000. |
| By Nick Servini, BBC Wales business correspondent So how is Wales faring compared to other parts of the UK? | By Nick Servini, BBC Wales business correspondent So how is Wales faring compared to other parts of the UK? |
| If we take a football analogy, during the course of 2009 Wales has never climbed out of the lower half of the table but it has not been in the relegation zone either. | If we take a football analogy, during the course of 2009 Wales has never climbed out of the lower half of the table but it has not been in the relegation zone either. |
| It now stands at 122,000 and has crept up to the 130,000 mark only once. In the recession of the early 90s, unemployment in Wales remained at 130,000 or above for a full six months. | It now stands at 122,000 and has crept up to the 130,000 mark only once. In the recession of the early 90s, unemployment in Wales remained at 130,000 or above for a full six months. |
| And yet we know the economy shrank more in this recession than the last. So why hasn't that been reflected in the unemployment figures? | And yet we know the economy shrank more in this recession than the last. So why hasn't that been reflected in the unemployment figures? |
| Many experts say it is down to the flexibility of the workforce. There have been increases in the numbers working part-time and those prepared to accept pay cuts to hold on to their jobs. | Many experts say it is down to the flexibility of the workforce. There have been increases in the numbers working part-time and those prepared to accept pay cuts to hold on to their jobs. |
| I have spoken with two companies this week which have begun taking people on again after making redundancies last year. | I have spoken with two companies this week which have begun taking people on again after making redundancies last year. |
| But there is not a permanent contract in sight and the employers are using agencies to find the staff on a temporary basis. That is not going to change until real confidence returns. | But there is not a permanent contract in sight and the employers are using agencies to find the staff on a temporary basis. That is not going to change until real confidence returns. |
| The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the UK rose by 23,500 last month to reach the highest level since Labour came to power in 1997. There was also a small increase in those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Wales. | The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the UK rose by 23,500 last month to reach the highest level since Labour came to power in 1997. There was also a small increase in those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Wales. |
| Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Although these figures show a slight rise in employment, we are all too aware that this recession is far from over and its effects could still be felt for some time to come. "The small rise in the claimant count shows just how fragile the situation is. Make no mistake, there is no room for complacency. | Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Although these figures show a slight rise in employment, we are all too aware that this recession is far from over and its effects could still be felt for some time to come. "The small rise in the claimant count shows just how fragile the situation is. Make no mistake, there is no room for complacency. |
| "As a government we will continue to work with all sectors of Wales to get the country on the road to recovery." Conservative shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "Labour's recession has seen 21,000 people in Wales lose their jobs over the last 12 months, and over 900 job losses were confirmed only last week at the Bosch plant in south Wales. "The unemployment rate in Wales remains the highest of any UK nation and above that of countries like Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania. | "As a government we will continue to work with all sectors of Wales to get the country on the road to recovery." Conservative shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "Labour's recession has seen 21,000 people in Wales lose their jobs over the last 12 months, and over 900 job losses were confirmed only last week at the Bosch plant in south Wales. "The unemployment rate in Wales remains the highest of any UK nation and above that of countries like Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania. |
| The unemployment rate in Wales remains the highest of any UK nation and above that of countries like Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania Shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan | The unemployment rate in Wales remains the highest of any UK nation and above that of countries like Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania Shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan |
| "Is this what Labour's first minister means by his statement that the figures in Wales are 'not that bad?' " | |
| • Mr Hain revealed details of 250 jobs to be created in north Wales during a trip to the area, with visits to Llangefni, Denbigh, Rhyl and Prestatyn. | |
| The posts are part of the Future Jobs Fund, which has already seen 9,000 six-month contract jobs at minimum wage. | The posts are part of the Future Jobs Fund, which has already seen 9,000 six-month contract jobs at minimum wage. |
| Parts of north Wales have been hit by a number of job losses in recent months. | Parts of north Wales have been hit by a number of job losses in recent months. |
| The Future Jobs Fund is a UK government fund of around £1bn which was announced in last year's budget. | The Future Jobs Fund is a UK government fund of around £1bn which was announced in last year's budget. |
| It supports the creation of jobs for long-term unemployed people and others who face significant disadvantage in the labour market. | It supports the creation of jobs for long-term unemployed people and others who face significant disadvantage in the labour market. |
| The fund is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. | The fund is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. |