Hundreds coming off Jobseeker's Allowance in Staffordshire

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the county reduced by 803 to 10,381, or 1.9 per cent of the working population.

In Stafford the figure was down by 78 to 1,361, in Lichfield by 89 to 939, for Cannock Chase there was a reduction of 151 to 1,510 and South Staffordshire claimant numbers dropped 82 to 1,360.

National unemployment fell by 48,000 between July and September to 2.47 million – its lowest level since the spring of 2011.

Chris Plant, director of Chase Chamber of Commerce said there were signs of recovery in the area's economy and added: "It is picking up in the Cannock area and we are being told that our members are looking to recruit and are feeling more confident about expanding.

"This is another set of positive figures, confirming the flexibility and resilience of the UK labour market, and pointing to continued economic growth over the next year.

"The fall in the jobless rate is clearly more rapid than initially predicted in August.

"The Government must build on the progress made so far and support job creation, focusing in particular on more support for exporters and improving access to finance for growing businesses."

In the West Midlands unemployment was down 15,000 to 257,000 over three months, according to the Office for National Statistics. The number of people in work has reached a record high of almost 30 million.

Meanwhile the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance was cut for the 12th month in a row in October, down by 41,700 to 1.31 million, the lowest for almost five years.

The two figures differ because not everyone who is registered as unemployed is eligible to claim Jobseeker's Allowance.

Across the West Midlands region the claimant count was down 6,547 to 135,084.