South Oxfordshire has the lowest proportion of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the UK.

Official figures out today show less than half of one per cent (0.4 per cent) of residents were signing on during September.

That’s a quarter of the 1.9 per cent national rate and half that of Oxford City’s (0.8 per cent).

South Oxfordshire’s super-low Jobseekers Allowance Seekers total is matched by four other local authorities - Stratford-on-Avon, Surrey Heath, Mid Sussex and Hart in Hampshire.

The other three Oxfordshire districts also have a lower-than-average number on JSA.

Cherwell and Vale of White Horse had 0.5 per cent of their populations signing on during September and it was 0.6 per cent for West Oxfordshire.

Large employers in South Oxfordshire include RAF Benson, The Centre of Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, Memec Europe, and Kidde Fire Protection in Thame.

The area, part of the Science Vale UK, is also a hotspot for science and technology including Culham Science Centre, operated by the Atomic Energy Authority and home to the UK’s fusion research programme.

Jobs are also generated through area’s many business parks, including Howbery Park in Wallingford and Monument Park in Chalgrove.