East Anglia: Unemployment Falls

18 December 2013, 11:24 | Updated: 18 December 2013, 11:26

Official figures show unemployment in East Anglia has fallen by the highest rate in the country.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the unemployment total in our region fell by 35,000 between August and October.

Nationally it's fallen to almost 2.39 million, which is the lowest it's been in four years.

The number of people in work topped 30 million for the first time on record.

Ipswich MP Ben Gummer tweeted, "We are building a sustainable economic recovery founded on jobs and skills" and West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock tweeted, "Our plan is working: we are securing a better future for our children."

Across the country, youth unemployment has also fallen and the employment rate for over-65s is now 10%, the highest since records began in 1992.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: ``It is really encouraging news that the number of people in jobs has increased by a quarter of a million in the last three months, bringing the total number of people in work to a record-breaking 30 million.

"Together with a big fall in unemployment, this shows that the Government's long-term economic plan to get people off benefits and into work is proving successful.

"It's also thanks to British businesses up and down the country who are feeling increasingly confident about taking on workers. This is a great sign that the economy is growing.''