I welcome the news that the number of people in work across the UK remains at a record high, and the rate of women in work is at the highest level since comparable records began, showing the fundamentals of our economy remain strong. According to the newly released figures there are 331,009 more people back in work in the South East since 2010.
In Southampton, the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits has fallen by over 2500 – more than a 55 per cent drop – since 2010.
As well as the employment continuing at a record-high, the figures show that the unemployment rate is holding steady, and average wages are growing ahead of inflation.