UNEMPLOYMENT in Worcester is at its lowest level in a decade, new figures have revealed.

The overall claimant count – the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance – stood at 1,178 in the city in April, according to data released yesterday.

This is a fall of 46 from the previous month, and 480 less than April 2014.

Worcester's newly reappointed MP Robin Walker has welcomed the figures, which he described as "great news".

Unemployment peaked in Worcester at 2,731 in January 2010 and has since fallen by 57 per cent in the city.

Youth unemployment is at 300, down 15 on the previous month and 125 on one year ago – and at the fourth lowest level on record.

Mr Walker said: "It is great news that unemployment continued to fall in the last month of the last Government but I think it sets an even greater challenge to this one to take it down further.

"I am very proud to have seen unemployment and youth unemployment more than halved in Worcester and I am confident that with a Conservative Government we can go further.

"I was particularly delighted to see local man Sajid Javid appointed as Business Secretary and I am looking forward to working with him to ensure more businesses, large and small have opportunities to create jobs in World Class Worcestershire."

He added: "These numbers are vindication of five years of Conservative led Government and its impact on Worcester.

"I am excited about the potential to improve on them still further in the years to come.

"With new businesses investing in Worcester and greater confidence as a result of the election result, I am confident we will see still better numbers and records set in the months to follow."

The outlook is also positive across the rest of the county, with falls in claimant county in Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.

Malvern Hills' figure stands at 421 – down from 449 in March – with Wychavon at 1,178, down from 1,224, and Wyre Forest at 851, down from 912.

Across Worcestershire, there were 4,664 people claiming Jobseeker's in April, compared to 4,929 in March.

Jobcentre Plus manager Mike Dzioba called the figures "very positive".

He said: "I think it's a success story and a testament to the labour market, but also the work being done to improve people's lives for the better and get them back into work.

"It's a very positive picture from our perspective.

"In terms of 18 to 24 unemployment there's been a 29 per cent reduction in claiming since this time last year and it's a similar picture when you look at the register as a whole."