Damian has welcomed the news that employment across the UK has reached its highest rate - 74.6% - since records began in 1971.
Commenting on the rise, Damian said:
“It’s very encouraging to see the employment rate reach a new high, and know that full-time work continues to drive the increase, rising by 218,000 workers on the year.
“We have a record number of people in work – 31.84 million – with sustained falls in both long term and youth unemployment. These are all important indicators of our overall economic performance, with jobs growth in a range of key sectors including infrastructure, science & technology, the NHS and education.”
In East Hampshire, the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits is 350, a figure that has fallen by 872 – a 71per cent drop – since 2010.