Two local councillors have welcomed figures showing that unemployment has dropped to its lowest national rate since 2005, with 2.5 million more people across the United Kingdom back in work having the security of a regular pay packet than in 2010.
Today there are 173,000 more people in work across the West MIdlands and in Coventry the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit has fallen by 6,447 – a 60 per cent drop – since 2010.
The figures also show that wages are continuing to grow, with average total pay up 2.3 per cent while annual inflation remains close to flat, and that the jobs growth is being fuelled by full-time work. With the level of unemployed at the lowest level in a decade and the proportion of 16-24 year olds who have left full-time education and are unemployed has never been lower, the figures show that the number of people in work remains at record levels.
Conservative councillor for Earlsdon ward, Allan Andrews said:
‘Today’s figures show the number of people in Coventry relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit has fallen by 6,447 since 2010 – a 60% drop.’
He added; ‘Our long-term plan is delivering more security, transforming life chances and providing opportunities that give families in Coventry the best chance to get on in life. Each new job means that worker and their family have the security of a pay packet.’
The figures were also welcomed by Cllr Gary Ridley, Woodlands ward, who said;
‘With Britain facing a dangerous cocktail of risks, it’s more important than ever to stick with the Government’s plan to fix our finances, as we deliver on our manifesto commitments and deliver security for families in Coventry.’