Employment hits record 30 million
The number of people in work has reached a record high of almost 30 million after a new fall in unemployment.
Nationally just under 2.5 million people were out of work in the three months to August, down by 18,000 on the previous three months. Figures also showed the biggest monthly fall in Jobseeker's Allowance claimants for 16 years.
In the West Midlands the number out of work was down 13,000 to 254,000 and claimant count numbers were down 5,575 to 141,631.
Employment rose by 155,000 to 29.87 million, the biggest total ever recorded.
Figures for September:
West Midlands unemployment 254,000, 9.4%, down 13,000.
West Midlands claimants 141,631, (4%), down 5,575
Wolverhampton 11,365, 7.1%, down 405 (rate is the highest in the West Midlands)
Dudley 8,975, 4.6%, down 439
Sandwell 11,929, 6.1%, down 410
Walsall 8,905, 5.3%, down 308
Birmingham 44,852, 6.4%, down 1,244
Staffordshire 11,184, 2.1%, down 651
Stafford 1,439, 1.7%, down 71
Cannock Chase 1,661, 2.6%, down 139
Lichfield 1,028, 1.7%, down 73
South Staffordshire 1,442, 2.1%, down 55
Wyre Forest 1,978, 3.3%, down 94
