Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, has welcomed a further drop in the unemployment figures for his constituency.

The Office of National Statistics revealed 437 fewer people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance than this time last year, while the East Midlands as a whole has seen the claimant count fall by 28,094 people.

“Today’s statistics show a further drop in unemployment in our part of Lincolnshire,” Sir Edward said. “These figures are more proof that our long-term economic plan is working.”

“Across the region, over 28,000 people are back in work – well over 100,000 more than at the end of the last Labour government,” he continued.

“We’ve delivered this much while stuck in coalition with the Lib Dems. When voters give us a Conservative majority at the general election, we will be free to go further and deliver more savings for taxpayers and greater prosperity for the country.”