Pictured above: Simon Topman

There is encouraging news on the jobs front said Birmingham and Solihull business leaders, as unemployment figures fell yet again, down by 15,000 to 8.6 per cent.

Kiran Virk, policy adviser at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said today's figures reaffirm the Chamber's latest quarterly economic survey results which indicate that 28 per cent of manufacturers said they had increased their workforce compared to only eight per cent a year ago. She said: "36 per cent said they expect to be recruiting over the next three months compared with six per cent in June 2009."

Simon Topman, chairman of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce and Industry said: "This is really good news for the region. This time last year, nearly half of firms were cutting staff levels."

Ms Virk added: "The fall in unemployment can be attributed mainly to the increase in the number of part time vacancies.  

"The West Midlands has the smallest private sector in the English regions and much more must be done by national government to help and sustain a better economic environment for the business community.  

"In turn this will help to generate jobs and wealth."