Jobless figures fall, but Wolverhampton still among the worst

The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in the city has fallen by 225 to 10,303.

But the claimant rate is still more than double national average of 2.9 per cent of the working population and one of the worst figures in the UK.

Nationally, unemployment has fallen by 77,000 in the three months to February.

In the West Midlands there was a spike in unemployment, as it rose by 2,000 to 224,000 - probably due to the end of short-term Christmas jobs. The region's jobless total is down by 28,000 on the same period last year.

But the number's claiming jobseeker's allowance across the country fell by 30,400 in March to 1.14 million, the 17th consecutive monthly reduction according to the Office for National Statistics.

In Wolverhampton the claimant count fell by 225 to 10,303, or 6.5 per cent of the city's working population. But the claimant rate is still more than double national average of 2.9 per cent and one of the worst figures in the UK.

Nationwide employment has increased by 691,000 over the past year, giving a rate of 72.6%, the best for six years, with a record 30.3 million people in work.

Self-employment increased by 146,000 to 4.5 million, the highest since records began in 1992. Long-term and youth unemployment have both fallen.

The number out of work for more than a year has been cut by 32,000 to 807,000, while the jobless figure for 16 to 24-year-olds has fallen by 38,000 to 881,000, the lowest for five years.

Average total pay is £479 a week, or £449 excluding bonuses.

Minister for employment Esther McVey said: "More young people are in work, more women are in work, wages are going up, and more and more businesses are hiring - and it's a credit to them that Britain is working again.

"But there is still more to do - which is why I'd go even further and call on more employers to work with us to tap into the talent pool the UK offers."