The latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of unemployment remains at 4.3% - the lowest since 1975 – and are welcomed by Damian.
The figures have been driven by increases in full-time and permanent work, and in the last year there are 20,000 fewer people relying on zero hour contracts. The female employment rate is also a near record 70.7%, with over 15 million women in work.
Damian, who is also Minister for Employment, said:
“Our economy is helping to create full time, permanent jobs which are giving people across the UK the chance of securing a reliable income. We’ve boosted the income for people on the lowest pay by increasing the National Living Wage and delivered the fastest pay rise for the lowest earners in 20 years.”
The number of claimants within East Hampshire is 340, which is largely unchanged.