South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed today’s Office for National Statistics figures showing the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants in the Ludlow Constituency has fallen to 491. This is down from 1054 in May 2010, meaning a 53% fall.
Figures also show UK unemployment has now fallen to 6%. Earnings are also up on the year as payslips begin to show the effects of the strengthening economy. Earnings (excluding bonuses) outstripped prices for the first time since 2009, increasing by 1.3% over the year. 694,000 jobs have been created over the past year, of which 85% are full time.
Mr Dunne said “Today’s figures show the Government’s long term economic plan is delivering for South Shropshire and Britain.
By supporting business and entrepreneurship the Government is creating the right conditions to help more people into work. In the Ludlow Constituency, we have seen the number of people claiming JSA more than halved since 2010.
While youth unemployment has fallen markedly over the past year, last month saw the number of young JSA in South Shropshire claimants increase from 120 to 125. But with Christmas around the corner and many businesses looking to take on extra staff for the season or permanently, I hopeful we will continue to see further reductions in the future.
I am also very pleased that wages are now beginning to outstrip inflation, which will give more security to people in South Shropshire.”
Across the UK the number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance is at the lowest level since the 1970s. Figures also show the biggest annual fall in female unemployment on record, with a record number of women now in work.