Jobs data released yesterday shows Wyre Forest continues on its downward unemployment trend.
Unemployment for June fell by 5% compared with the June 2012, and a significant 7% from May this year. Youth unemployment has fallen a more significant 13% year on year and 6% on the month.
Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest's MP, says of the figures: "I am cautiously optimistic that we are seeing a sustained downward trend in unemployment locally. We are still stubbornly stuck above the 2,000 figure and I am very keen to get below that level, but I am optimistic that we are seeing a significant trend in youth unemployment.
"When I was elected, I inherited a legacy that saw 665 16 to 24 year olds unemployed. We have reduced that by 20% - a far quicker rate of reduction than seen both nationally and locally in the West Midlands (down 11% and 15% respectively). All unemployment in Wyre Forest is down 7.3% since May 2010, and that compares with a national reduction of unemployment by 4.2%.
"I believe it is important that a local MP uses his or her influence effectively to the benefit of their constituents. That is why I have been staging the jobs fairs locally and working hard to help promote economic activity in the district. These figures seem to demonstrate that this has been effective. That is good news, but of little consolation to those people who are still unemployed. That is why I will continue to put on jobs fairs, continue to source funding for local infrastructure developments, and continue to promote the district's economic opportunities."