People out of work in West Midlands up by 152,000 in three months

The rise came as the UK total fell to an eight-year low as the numbers in work continue to reach record levels.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics show the jobless total was cut by 20,000 in the quarter to 1.67 million, the lowest since the spring of 2008.

NUmbers claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and other unemployment benefits in the West Midlands fell last month by 640 to 80,105 – 2.2 per cent of the working population.

The number of claimants was down across the Black Country. Wolverhampton saw the biggest fall of 85 to 6,485 (4.1 per cent) with Dudley down 55 to 5,485 (2.8 per cent) and Walsall falling by 30 to 4,620 (2.8 per cent). Sandwell was down 20 to 7.065 (3.6 per cent).

In Staffordshire claimant numbers fell by 155 to 4,885 (0.9 per cent). Cannock Chase was down 35 to 700 (1.1 per cent), South Staffordshire by 20 to 690 (one per cent) and Stafford by 10 to 620 (0.8 per cent) with Lichfield having no change at 400 (0.7 per cent).

In the West Midlands employment was up 22,000 for the quarter to 2.648 million - a 43,000 rise on the year. The number of unemployed are down 19,000 on a year ago.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb, said: "Secure employment and a decent wage are key to transforming the life chances of people right the way across the country, so I'm delighted to see another strong set of figures this month.

"There are more people in work than ever before and wages are continuing their upward climb. It's good news in the West Midlands with 43,000 more people in work over the last year bringing total employment to 2.65 million. Our economic plan is delivering jobs and security right across the UK."

Nationally the number of women out of work was 12,000 higher at 779,000.

The final set of official labour market figures before the EU referendum next week also showed that 31.5 million people are in work - the highest since records began in 1971.

The UK now has an employment rate of 74 per cent - another record high - and a jobless rate of five per cent, the lowest for a decade.

The number of people on the claimant count dropped by 400 last month to 746,100, although the figure for April has been revised to show an increase of 6,400 in the light of later information on those claiming the out-of-work element of Universal Credit.

Chancellor George Osborne tweeted: "At five per cent, unemployment at its lowest rate for 11 years - let's not put that at risk by irreversible decision to quit EU."