Skipton MP Julian Smith has welcomed the latest unemployment figures, with his Skipton and Ripon constituency seeing fall of claimants of 547.

The figures show that  across the UK unemployment remains at the lowest rate for over a decade – down nearly 900,000 since 2010 – according to the latest labour market figures, with 207,000 more people back in work in Yorkshire and the Humber since 2010.  In Skipton and Ripon, the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits has fallen by 547 – a 53 per cent drop  since 2010, he said.

He said the figures also showed that the employment rate amongst women is now at record levels, with more than 500,000 more disabled people in work over the past three years and the number of young people unemployed is now at the lowest level in over 12 years.

‘We start the New Year with another encouraging set of figures, which show the strength of our economy as we step up to the challenges of 2017,” said Mr Smith.

‘Since the Conservatives entered government, the number of people in Skipton and Ripon relying on the key out of work benefits has fallen by 547 – a 53% drop – while the unemployment level nationwide is at the lowest rate in over 10 years. 

“With a record high employment rate for women and over half a million more disabled people in work over the last three years, we have made real progress creating a strong economy and we will continue that work as we build a country that works for everyone – with more people sharing in our country’s prosperity.’