Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that the total number of unemployed claimants in Wyre Forest, during June 2016, was 699. This represents a rate of 1.5% of the economically active population.
New analysis has shown that Wyre Forest has had one of the fastest growing employment rates across the country, alongside continuing to break local claimant records. Wyre Forest’s claimant rate has decreased by 69% since May 2010, and has seen the 8th most significant fall in claimant rate in the UK since January 2014. This means that, since Mark was elected, Wyre Forest has seen one of the largest improvements in employment rates across the UK.
Success stories like Wyre Forest have meant that national employment levels are currently at a record high. There are now 31.7m people in work across Britain. Wages have also increased by 2.2% in the last year, whilst the UK unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in over a decade.
Mark Garnier MP commented: ‘’This low level of local unemployment is good news, and it is particularly pleasing to see such outstanding progress being made with regards to our claimant rate. It shows that since the financial crisis, Wyre Forest has outperformed. Business has been growing and moving into Wyre Forest and employing people at a rate that is testament to our local hard work. However, we must continue our efforts to help those still looking for work. With new companies coming to Wyre Forest, we will see continued downward pressure on unemployment, but this must be met with more skills training and continued encouragement for more, better paid jobs to be located in Wyre Forest.’’