THE amount of people in the Malvern Hills out of work fell again in May.

Government figures released yesterday showed there were 389 people in the district – 0.9 per cent of the entire working-age population – claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance last month, down from 421 the previous month and 607 in May 2014.

Of these 247 were men and 142 were women.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who was re-elected for a second term in last month's General Election and has been appointed City Minister in David Cameron's new government, welcomed the figures.

“I am pleased to see that the number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance continues to fall to record lows. "There are just 460 people claiming unemployment benefit in West Worcestershire which equates to less than one per cent of the working age population.

“Of course, the work must continue to help every person back into the security of a regular pay packet and our ambition remains to have full employment in Worcestershire.”

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 drop was mirrored elsewhere in the county – in Worcester 1,137 people, or 1.7 per cent of those aged 16 to 64, were registered as unemployed in May, down from 1,178 in April and 1,517 in May 2014.

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.

Angela Street from Job Centre Plus said the national employment rate was close to the highest on record.

"It’s great news that there are fewer people out of work and looking for a job," she said.

"And we also have good news for Worcestershire, as there are 2,174 fewer claimants than a year ago.

"With the continued improvement in the job market coupled with the intensive coaching offered by the Job Centres to support claimants into work we are proud of the 2,174 additional lives we have helped to change over the past year."

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.

But general secretary of the Trades Union Congress Frances O'Grady said there was still some way to go for youth employment.

She said: "The government must set clear goals this parliament to bring down youth unemployment and under-employment, and ensure that everyone who needs work has access to a secure and fairly paid job."