News that unemployment in the West Midlands has continued to
fall has been welcomed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics showed that
unemployment fell by 32,000 to 226,000 in the West Midlands in the
last quarter, one of the largest decreases in the country.
The unemployment rate regionally is now 8.5 per cent, which is
lower than either London (9.3 per cent) or the North West (9.8 per
cent).
Christine Braddock, president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
Group, said: "The West Midlands has had some of the worst levels of
unemployment since the recession, so it is hugely encouraging to
see that businesses in the region are answering the Government's
call to create new jobs with gusto.
"Data from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce's Quarterly
Economic Survey suggests that over the coming three months, 92 per
cent of service industries and manufacturers will retain their
workforce or will be seeking to grow it, which is fantastic news
for the region."
Despite this, many other regions continue to fare better than
the West Midlands, in term of unemployment.
The East Midlands, Wales and the South East all have a lower
rate.
Mike Ashton, spokesman for West Midlands Chambers of Commerce,
said: "We still have a long way to go. The number of people
claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has risen to 1.52 million people
nationally as people move from other benefits back into the labour
market.
"The private sector has a huge challenge ahead in creating the
sustainable jobs and growth needed but we are confident that we are
up to the challenge."