Joblessness down by a third, says MP Philip Dunne

Tory MP Philip Dunne said he had visited employers in recent weeks "from Bridgnorth to Bishop's Castle and from Church Stretton to Cleobury Mortimer" and they were all taking on staff.

Mr Dunne, MP for Ludlow, revealed the jobless situation in his constituency as he welcomed national figures which showed the number of people in work across the UK had increased by 1.59 million since the last General Election in 2010.

He said that across the Ludlow constituency local people were benefitting from new jobs being created by the economic recovery reaching businesses in every sector.

"Across the UK, Office for National Statistics figures indicate the largest quarterly rise in employment since records began over 40 years ago," he said.

He added: "Here in the Ludlow constituency, we have seen a fall of 37 per cent in the number of people on unemployment benefits since the last election, down from 1,054 to 662.

"I am also pleased that we have seen a similar fall in youth unemployment locally, down 37 per cent since April 2013, from 265 to 170 young people under 24."

Mr Dunne claimed local people were benefitting from action taken by the Government to support businesses to create jobs, like DMS Plastics in Ludlow which has doubled its turnover since the depths of the recession.

He said: "I have been determined to do what I can locally to help jobseekers find work.

"The second jobs fair I organised in Ludlow last month helped connect jobseekers with employers and training providers with real jobs on offer in South Shropshire.

"I have visited employers in recent weeks from Bridgnorth to Bishop's Castle and from Church Stretton to Cleobury Mortimer all taking on more staff. I visited Burford on Friday to see expanding food business Orchard Valley Foods. "Employers tell me we need to stick to the plan. It's getting people off benefits and into work.

"Shropshire is back in business, which is good news for local residents in work and those looking for jobs."