Unemployment falls by 5,000 in the West Midlands

The number out of work in the region was 177,000 for February to April while nationally unemployment fell by 43,000 to 1.81 million, official figures showed today.

The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits last month fell by 6,500 to 791,800, said the Office for National Statistics.

In the West Midlands numbers claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in May were down 4,331 from April to 80,520 - 2.3 per cent of the working population.

Wolverhampton and Birmingham shared the highest rate in the region of 4.2 per cent. Wolverhampton's total was down 336 to 6,677.

For Dudley there was a fall of 459 to 5,071 (2.6 per cent) with Walsall down by 280 to 4,780 (2.9 per cent) and Sandwell having 176 fewer claimants at 7,059 (3.6 per cent).

Staffordshire saw a reduction of 342 to 5,090 (0.9 per cent) with South Staffordshire seeing a fall of 63 to 788 (1.2 per cent).

Cannock Chase fell 62 to 793 (1.3 per cent) and Lichfield was down by 56 to 330 (0.5 per cent).

Stafford bucked the trend with a rise of three to 654 (0.8 per cent) - it was the second month in a row that Jobseeker's Allowance numbers had risen in the borough.

Wyre Forest, including Kidderminster, saw 71 fewer claimants at 780 (1.3 per cent).