A NEW milestone has been reached with the unemployment rate falling below six per cent for the first time in six years.

In a further sign of the strength of the UK labour market, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that job vacancies have risen by 127,000 to hit a 14-year record high.

There are about 700,000 job opportunities across the country.

The total number of people without a job has fallen by nearly one million since 2010.

There are good signs for those in Redditch in Bromsgrove, where unemployment has fallen 53 per cent in the last two years.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is 1,415 compared to 2,995.

The number of young people claiming JSA is 305 compared with 570 two years ago.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “With more people in work than ever before and a record number of vacancies in the economy, local businesses up and down the country are feeling more confident, taking on new staff, and giving people the security of a regular wage.

“As part of our long-term plan, we’re supporting businesses to create the jobs which people need. Employment in the West Midlands has reached a near record high – and unemployment has seen the second fastest annual fall of all the UK regions.”

Meanwhile, Redditch MP Karen Lumley has welcomed the fall in the number of unemployed older people.

Since the general election in 2010, the number of people over the age of 50 claiming JSA in Redditch is down by more than 55 per cent.

Over-50s unemployment rose by 84.9 per cent from 2005 to 2010, but since 2010 it has fallen by 58.2 per cent.

In the last year, over 50s unemployment has come down by 28.6 per cent.

Mrs Lumley said: "There is often a great deal of focus placed on youth unemployment, and rightly so, but we mustn't forget the huge benefit older people bring to businesses and the wider economy.

"As somebody who recently joined the over-50s club I know that I certainly have a lot more to offer and I know that many of my constituents will feel the same way. There are many over-50s who want to work and would be a fantastic asset to our local businesses in Redditch and the British economy."