UNEMPLOYMENT in Worcester fell in May for the fourth month in a row.

Government figures released this morning show there were 1,137 people in the city claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance last month – 1.7 per cent of the entire working-age population – down from 1,178 the previous month and a decrease from 1,517 in May 2014.

Of these 781 were men and 356 were women.

Unemployment was also down across Worcestershire as a whole, with 4,385 people, 1.2 per cent of those aged between 16 and 64, out of work in May, compared with 4,664 in April and 6,559 12 months previously.

The city’s MP Robin Walker welcomed the figures, saying: “It is wonderful news that unemployment in Worcester has reached new lows and that more people are finding the security of a job.

“I want to keep up a relentless focus on creating opportunity and backing the businesses that invest in people and skills.

“We must keep working harder than ever to make sure this trend continues and to keep driving employment opportunities in Worcester.”

The Conservative MP, who was re-elected for a second term in office in last month’s General Election, said he was particularly pleased to see long-term unemployment had fallen.

“We have a government that is firmly focused on delivering prosperity for all and a one nation approach,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing this have further positive impact in Worcester.”

“With more businesses opening and expanding in Worcester and more investment in our infrastructure to unlock growth I am confident that we will see even better figures in the months to come but the real benefit of a strong jobs market is going to be in rising pay.

“It is good to see the figures nationally that now suggest that pay is rising well ahead of inflation, which will help with the cost of living and ensure that work always pays.”

The drop was mirrored elsewhere in the county – in the Malvern Hills 389 people, or 0.9 per cent of the district’s working-age population, were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in May, down from 421 the month before and 607 12 months earlier.

Likewise, 662 people, or 0.9 per cent of those aged 16 to 64, in Wychavon were registered as unemployed in May, down from 735 in April and 946 in May 2014.

Across the UK as a whole unemployment fell by 43,000 in May to 1.81 million, or 5.5 per cent of the entire working-age population. This is the lowest level since August 2008.