Unemployment dips in West Mids
A fall in unemployment figures for the West Midlands is "greatly encouraging", according to the region's chambers of commerce.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics showed that unemployment fell by 28,000 to 235,000 in the West Midlands in the three months to April, leaving 8.8 per cent out of work.
However, despite the increase in employment, the region was behind only London, the North East and Yorkshire/Humber.
Christine Braddock, president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "These figures, although still extremely challenging, are greatly encouraging.
"Investment intentions are believed to have increased significantly in the manufacturing sector, which indicates businesses are more prepared to put money back into their operations with the inevitable boost to employment."
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, also warned against complacency.
She said: "This is positive news but we must guard against any complacency because, nationally, the British Chambers of Commerce are still forecasting that unemployment will rise further in the next 12 months.
"That said, this is still very good to see and shows that there is a desire to create jobs in the private sector when the public sector is going to continue to shrink."
National figures revealed unemployment fell by 88,000 in the three months to April.
