Drop in joblessis welcomed

Latest national figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported the annual fall in unemployment had brought the rate down to 6.6 per cent, with a record rise of 345,000 in those gaining jobs – with most being full-time positions.

Welcoming the drop in statistics, Mr Mills said: “I’m delighted to say that unemployment is continuing to fall in my constituency. After the success of my second Amber Valley Jobs Fair in March, we saw it fall in April to 2.9 per cent, and I’m pleased to say that May’s figures have shown a further fall – to 2.7 per cent.

“More of my constituents now have the security of a monthly pay-packet, and it’s further evidence that our plan is working.

“The number of jobs created in the private sector under this Government has reached 2 million – two something that the Labour Party said was impossible.

“The job is not yet done - I will continue to work with local businesses to do whatever I can to help them take on more employees, and I’ll be holding another jobs fair later this year.”

The figures show the number of people out of work fell by 161,000 to 2.16 million, bringing the unemployment rate down to 6.6 per cent.

The number of people in work rose by a record 345,000, to 30.5 million.

But the quarterly rate of earnings growth, including bonuses, slowed to 0.7 per cent from 1.9 per cent the previous month.

This was mainly due to delayed bonus payments, the Office for National Statistics said. Excluding bonuses, pay rose by 0.9 per cent, it said.

The number of people out of work is now at its lowest level for more than five years, with youth unemployment, among 16 to 24-year-olds, standing at 853,000.