Nigel Evans has today welcomed the fact that the UK unemployment rate has dropped to 7.1%. The number of people out of work fell by 167,000 to 2.32 million in the three months to November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The ONS also said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 24,000 to 1.25 million in December.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Evans said:
“Such a fall in unemployment is good news for individuals and families up and down the country and for our economy as a whole.
“The number of unemployed claimants in the Ribble Valley in December 2013 was 667, which represents a rate of 1.3% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The number of claimants is 269 lower than in December last year and 67 lower than in November 2013, which just goes to show that improvements can always be made.
“The challenge for government and businesses is to build on this continued improvement so that people and families can enjoy a better quality of life.”