Philip Dunne MP has welcomed latest figures showing the number of people claiming unemployment benefits has fallen in South Shropshire.

Figures from the independent Office for National Statistics the claimant count across South Shropshire fell by 100 between March and April to 1,240, representing 2.6% of the population aged 16-64, compared to a national average of 4.0%.

Over the past year, unemployment in South Shropshire has fallen by 900 as the economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic and more people find work. The number of young people (aged 18-24) who claim unemployment benefits across South Shropshire has also fallen by 230 in the past year, to just 150 claimants now.

Mr Dunne said:

“With real concerns about the rising cost of living, I am very pleased businesses in South Shropshire are continuing to create jobs and give more people the security of a regular paypacket. We have seen a sustained decline in unemployment over the past year, especially with young people moving back into work after the pandemic, which is great news for those who found it difficult to get a foothold in the world of work due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.”