UNEMPLOYMENT in Redditch has fallen below 1,000 for the first time in seven years.
Figures released for October show 936 people were claiming the benefit compared to 1,053 the previous month.
It means unemployment is now at its lowest level since November 2007 and just 1.7 per cent of the economically active population are now out of work.
Since the coalition came to power in May 2010 the numbers claiming the allowance is down by almost 60 per cent or 1,393 people.
Redditch MP Karen Lumley said it showed how far the town had come since the recession.
“Of course whenever the latest jobs figures are published there are those that say they are not to be welcomed because the jobs are unskilled, aren’t well paid or aren’t full time. This is simply not the case. Three-quarters of the jobs created since the election have been full-time, two-thirds have been in higher skilled occupations and total pay is rising faster than inflation.
“What’s more all paid work should be welcomed as it provides the opportunities that people need to get on in life. It does them a disservice to dismiss their move into employment when we should be congratulating them.”
