Unemployment flat in West Midlands but claimants fall
Unemployment stayed at 166,000 in the West Midlands for the three months to May.
Nationally the figure was down 64,000 to 1.49 million – the lowest level since 2005.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics saw numbers claiming unemployment benefits, including Jobseeker's Allowance, in the West Midlands fell by 1,170 to 86,475 last month. Nationally there was an increase of 6,000 to 829,000.
In Wolverhampton there was a fall of 145 to 6,770 – 4.2 per cent of the working population.
Walsall saw 45 fewer claimants at 4,995 (three per cent), Dudley was down 25 to 805 (three per cent) and Sandwell had a fall of 20 to 7,215 (3.6 per cent).
South Staffordshire bucked the trend with a rise of 25 to 790 (1.2 per cent) and Lichfield also had an increase of 10 to 455 (0.7 per cent).
Across Staffordshire claimant numbers rose by 85 to 5,625 (1.1 per cent) with Stafford down 30 at 755 (0.9 per cent) and Cannock Chase having a fall of 25 to 805 (1.3 per cent).
Wyre Forest, including Kidderminster, was down by 60 to 770 (1.3 per cent).
The ONS said average earnings grew by 1.8% in the year to May, down by 0.3 per cent on the previous month.
Employment reached another record high as the number of people in work climbed to around 32 million, a rise of 324,000 compared to last year and the largest total since records began in 1971.
The employment rate rose by 0.3 per cent on the quarter to a record high of 74.9% and the unemployment rate also dropped by 0.2 per cent on the quarter to 4.5 per cent..
Labour market statistics for March 2017 to May 2017 showed a 175,000 rise in employment and 64,000 fall in unemployment.
Anna Leach, Head of Economic Intelligence at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: “These figures underline the strength of the UK’s flexible labour market, which was recognised in yesterday’s Taylor Review.
"But declining real pay and productivity remain concerning, reinforcing the imperative that any changes following the review support the economy’s ability to create great jobs.
“Making real progress on productivity growth requires a modern industrial strategy, with real change on the ground on skills, infrastructure and innovation.”
