West Mids unemployment levels fall
Businesses have welcomed the news that the unemployment level in the West Midlands has continued to fall. In the last quarter, the number of jobseekers in the region dropped by 32,000.
According to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), unemployment fell by 32,000 to 226,000 in the West Midlands in the last three months. It was one of the largest drops in the UK.
The West Midlands' unemployment rate is now 8.5 per cent - lower than London (9.3 per cent) or the North West (9.8 per cent).
Six months ago, the region had the highest number of jobseekers in the UK.
Mike Ashton, spokesman for West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, said: "We still have a long way to go. The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has risen to 1.52 million people nationally as people move from other benefits back into the labour market.
"The private sector has a huge challenge ahead in creating the sustainable jobs and growth needed but we are confident that we are up to the challenge."
