Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, has welcomed the latest unemployment figures which show that unemployment has reduced by 115,000 across the UK and is now down by 550,000 since the election in 2010.

The encouraging figures also show that there have been 2 million private sector jobs created since the last General Election and three-quarters of the rise in employment has been accounted for by full-time jobs.

In Nuneaton, the figures show a fall of 34% in the town in the last 12 months. There are now 692 fewer people unemployed today than there were in October 2013 and over 1,400 less people out of work than in May 2010.

Encouragingly, youth unemployment has also fallen by 50% in the last year and unemployment has fallen by 27% for those aged 50 and over. Long-term unemployment, people out of work for over 12 months, is down by 29%.

Marcus has acknowledged that there is no room for complacency and said that apprenticeship initiatives and an improving economy had really helped to drive down unemployment, particularly for younger people. He is hopeful that the new bus route between Nuneaton and Birch Coppice will also have a positive effect on access to work for local people.

Commenting on the figures, Marcus said: “These latest figures are very positive which have shown further reductions in unemployment, with very encouraging reductions in youth unemployment, yet I know there is no room for complacency. We have the strongest economic growth in Europe but the world and Eurozone slowdown does present some potential challenges.

“The recent announcement by Aldi does show that there is some resilience in the economy and each new job created means more people who have security and are able to provide for their family.

“I know there is still much more to do and that too many people remain unemployed, but there is a growing confidence with the economy and I am determined locally to do all I can to encourage full employment here in Nuneaton. I will also continue to support the growth of new and existing businesses throughout my constituency.”