Local MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed new figures showing that since 2010 the number of people in Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 705 – a 50 per cent drop.
The figures also showed that wages are rising at the fastest rate in real terms since 2007, rising for the eighth month in a row. This means more people are in work, with the security of a good job and a regular pay packet.
Commenting on the good news, Caroline said:
"Thanks to the hard work and determination of local people and the Conservative Party's strong economic plan, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the local unemployment rate over the past five years. This is great news for our area with more financial security for people in work and more families with the stability brought about by a regular income.
I am confident that this Government's policies will help to build on this progress, backing businesses to create more good jobs and supporting those who want to work hard and get on as part of our ambition to achieve full employment."
Across the UK, long-term unemployment has fallen by 184,000 and 92,000 fewer young people are unemployed than a year ago. At the same time, more women are in the labour market with 159,000 more women in work than at the same time last year.
Unemployment in Gosport now stands at 1.5%.
