THE news that the unemployment figure for Redditch has dropped to 3.5 per cent has been welcomed by town MP Karen Lumley.

The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has also fallen, and is now 272 lower than this time last year.

Mrs Lumley said: “I welcome the news that there has been a fall in the number of JSA claimants in Redditch and that unemployment is now below four per cent - well below the national average.

“Redditch has a proud history of private enterprise and the Government’s measures to help businesses get more people into work is having a direct impact.”