UNEMPLOYMENT in Wyre Forest is at its lowest levels since 2005 according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

Figures show the number of unemployed claimants throughout the district in November was 963 – representing an unemployment percentage of 2.1 per cent.

This is the lowest the figures have been since August 2005, when the percentage of unemployment was at 2.2 per cent.

Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, said: “I’m incredibly pleased to say that employment fell again this month.

“The statistics for youth unemployment I hope will continue to drop as changes in the schools’ curriculum promote financial education, encouraging entrepreneurship and giving students core skills that will help them with job interviews.

“I look forward to seeing the continued effects of these in the New Year.”

When the figures were at their peak in 2010, 2,309 people were seeking work representing an unemployment percentage of 4.8 per cent and the district has seen a drop of 58 per cent since.