Statistics released by the Department of Work and Pensions last week saw 161 fewer claimants in Dumbarton than this time last year, a reduction of 23 per cent.

And around 60 fewer young people are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), a reduction of 33 per cent – the lowest on record since June 1999.

At present Dumbarton has only 20 young people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance over six months – the lowest figures on record since September 2008.

In Alexandria there are 257 fewer claimants than a year ago, a reduction of 32 per cent, including 75 fewer young people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, a fall of 37 per cent – the lowest on record since Sept 2005. Alexandria has only 35 young people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance over six months – the lowest figures recorded since February 2011.

The statistics fare considerably better than the rest of Scotland as the nation’s jobless total rose by 7,000 between September and November to stand at 158,000, according to official figures.

The number of women claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has also fallen by 8,900 to 27,900 – the lowest total since February 2009, the figures showed 71.4 per cent of women in Scotland were working, compared to 68.1 per cent across the UK as a whole. These numbers reflect the growth of Scotland’s economy which grew by 0.6 per cent during the third quarter of 2014, and by three per cent over the year.

The Scottish unemployment rate is now 5.7 per cent, marginally lower than the overall UK rate of 5.8 per cent.

However, it has been claimed a new ‘harsher’ benefit sanction system is driving down unemployment numbers. The DWP says the claimant count ‘includes all cases of claimants who are serving sanctions, provided the claimant continues to keep their claim live during the sanction period.’ However, this is not the case for anyone sanctioned for ‘not actively seeking employment’, as their claims are ended by the DWP.

Last week the Reporter revealed benefit sanctions had doubled in Dumbarton, while others complain it has become increasingly hard to claim benefits.

The most common reason for JSA sanctions is ‘not actively seeking work’, which means that the claimant has not done exactly what they were told by their Jobcentre adviser. The impact of the massive increase in this type of sanction under the Coalition has been multiplied by the huge increase in the length of penalty. There is always a four-week loss of benefit for a first offence, and 13 weeks for a second which could mean the figures released by the DWP do not accurately reflect employment in the area. Leven councillor Jim Bollan previously told the Reporter: “The Tory attacks on the sick and unemployed by sanctioning their benefits is vile and reprehensible. These sanctions are increasing poverty levels dramatically across West Dunbartonshire with over 100 new claimants a month being sanctioned.” While foodbanks in the area say they’re getting busier every week. Christina Logan of Lomond Foodbank said: “It is people you would never believe. Older people, even with jobs, and you have no idea how poor they are. I’m making up kettle boxes because some people don’t even have the electric or gas to turn their oven on. This is ridiculous in 2015.” The West Employability Hub — which assists claimants living in Alexandria and Dumbarton with a range of employability services — was hailed a success after the statistics were released, as the service recently changed to include all customers’ not just young people.