Sir Edward Leigh, the Member of Parliament for the Gainsborough Constituency, has welcomed the latest statistics that show an improving situation with regard to employment with in the constituency.

The total number of unemployed claimants in Gainsborough constituency in October 2016 was 1,100. This represents a rate of 2.5% of the economically active population, slightly higher than the national average (The equivalent UK claimant rate was 2.4%), aged 16 to 64, the 269th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest claimant rate, 650th = lowest claimant rate).

This includes 792 people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and 308 people claiming Universal Credit who were required to seek work. Sir Edward commented:

“I welcome the improvement in local employment statistics, the security of a job, being able to provide for oneself and family, ensures people can live their lives with dignity, not having to rely on state hand-outs. Back in February last year the figure was nearly fifteen-hundred. So there are now almost four hundred people back in work, it is very positive news.”

Sir Edward was speaking as it was revealed that the total number of claimants (both Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit) is now 68 lower than in October 2015. Further that there were 320 claimants aged 18-24 in Gainsborough constituency in October 2016, 5 lower than in October last year.

Damian Green, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

“I am very pleased that yet again we have a set of figures from the Office of National Statistics that defies expectations, with employment continuing to run at a record high and unemployment falling to an 11-year low. There are now 31.8 million people in work – an increase of almost 2.8 million since 2010.”