New figures show that nearly 2.8 million people are in work across the South West, an increase of almost 300,000 since 2010, as the Conservatives mark four million more people in work since Labour left office.
As the number of people in work grows, figures also show almost 90,000 fewer people are unemployed across the South West, meaning more people have the security of their own income.
New figures published by the Office of National Statistics show there are a total of 33.09 million people in work in the UK – this is an increase of 382,000 people in the last year.
As jobs rise, vacancies are falling, with an unemployment rate of 3.8 per cent – near record lows, meaning the number of unemployed people in the UK has halved since 2010.
On this, the Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We’re getting Britain people working with record number of people in jobs – representing the vigorous support we have in place to support people get into work. We are equipping the over 50s to return to work, removing barriers for parents on universal credit and supporting those who are sick or disabled.”
In my role as the Forest’s MP, I am regularly privileged to visit our local job creators and see that not only are significantly more people in work since Labour left office but also that more people in the Forest of Dean find themselves in high quality, skilled work. For example, the Friday before last I visited NewSpace Containers on the Lydney Harbour Estate – a fantastic local company, employing over 100 people to produce quality, bespoke accommodation units.
I also work closely with one of our biggest employers, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, who have invested £13 million in their Coleford factory in recent years and who I will be helping host an event in Parliament in the next few weeks, recognising the fantastic work they do training apprentices, hiring local people (90% of their employees are from Coleford itself) and contributing to the local economy.
The Conservative Government has five priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. These new figures show the Government is making progress in achieving its economic priorities, with a strong workforce and a resilient economy.
This article was first published in The Forester newspaper.