Matt Warman MP has welcomed new figures showing that the number of people in Boston and Skegness claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while not in employment fell by 851 – a 45 per cent drop – since 2010.

The figures show that the government’s reforms to rebalance the economy and help more people into work are succeeding, with over 400,000 more people across the country in work than a year ago and a record number of people working in the private sector. Business confidence in the economy is shown by nearly three quarters of a million vacancies, and jobs are being created in Boston and Skegness.

The figures also showed that average pay growth is at 2.9 per cent, the fastest rise since 2002, while inflation was only 0.1 per cent, meaning hardworking people in Boston and Skegness have more money in their pockets. Youth unemployment has also continued to fall, down 215,000 since 2010, showing how this one nation government is ensuring the economic recovery is felt by all sections of society.

Across the East Midlands people are moving into work with 160,784 more people in work since the last Labour Government. There are over 2 million more people across the UK now in work than at the end of thirteen years of a Labour Government.

Matt said, ‘With wages continuing to rise and 851 fewer people relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while out of work, today’s figures are great news for people who want to work hard and get on in Boston and Skegness. The figures show there is more financial security for people in work, and more families with the security and stability of a regular pay packet.

These strong results are down to the hard work and determination of people here in the constituency, and demonstrate the success of the Conservatives’ one nation approach and clear economic plan. We need to keep working though that plan – supporting firms, increasing training and providing more free childcare for working parents, as well as introducing a National Living Wage – so that everyone can succeed and achieve their full potential.’

Notes to editors:

Headline national figures

• On 16 September 2015, the ONS published labour market statistics for the three months to July 2015 and the Claimant Count (Jobseeker’s Allowance) figures for August 2015. The number of people claiming Universal Credit while not in employment in August 2015 was also published (ONS, Labour Market Statistics, 16 September 2015; DWP, Universal Credit, 16 September 2015).

Local figures

• On 16 September 2015, the ONS published regional employment statistics for the three months to July 2015. Constituency claimant count figures for August 2015 were also published, available on the nomis website, and constituency Universal Credit not in employment claimant count figures were published by DWP  (ONS, Regional Labour Market Statistics, 16 September 2015; nomis, accessed 16 September 2015; Universal Credit, 16 September 2015).

Key statistics

• Employment:09 million (up 413,000 over the past year and up more than 2 million since 2010).
• Employment rate:5 per cent (up 0.7 points over the past year and up 3.3 points since 2010).
• Unemployment:82 million (down 198,000 over the past year and down 686,000 since 2010).
• Unemployment rate:5 per cent (down 0.6 points over the past year and down 2.4 points since 2010).
• Claimant count (Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit not in work): 791,700 in August (down 183,100 on last year and down 703,100 since 2010).
• Wages: average pay growth is 2.9 per cent. Inflation over the same period was close to flat.