Plaid AM for South Wales Central Chris Franks said: “While these latest figures are encouraging, I know that Ieuan Wyn Jones and the One Wales Government as a whole will not rest on their laurels - they will continue to work hard to help the people and communities of Wales weather this economic storm. Of course, unemployment, is likely to fluctuate in future, but it is heartening to see that we are moving in the right direction."

"Tory and Labour governments in London let bankers and speculators in the city run wild, but the Plaid-driven government of Wales has taken action to combat the recession.

“Plaid Economy Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, has worked closely with business and the trade unions, introducing practical and effective measures to help the people of Wales through this economic downturn. For example the ProAct scheme has helped to prevent almost 5,000 workers from across Wales becoming part of these unemployment statistics."

But the Conservative Party were quick to pour cold water on the claims. Commenting on the figures today, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan MP said:

“Any fall in unemployment is welcome, especially for the families and individuals who have found new work.

“But today’s figures are no cause for complacency. 37,000 more people are out of work in Wales than a year ago, there are fewer people economically active and a quarter of those of working age are economically inactive.

“Unemployment is fast becoming the most pressing social economic and political problem plaguing the country. That is the reality of Labour’s economic policy failure.”