Number of people claiming out of work benefits in Tatton has fallen in the past month as unemployment nationally fell to a 40 year low. 

In December, 385 people in Tatton were in receipt of the payments compared to 410 the previous month, Office of National Statistics figures show.

It means 0.8 per cent of people across the area are out of work, lower than the 2.4 per centaverage across the North West region.

Tatton MP Esther McVey said: “I am delighted unemployment levels in the constituency are continuing to fall but we cannot become complacent there is always more to do. I will continue to fight to improve our infrastructure and transport links so we attract more businesses to the area to expand our excellent existing work base. We have to make sure we have the right infrastructure, education and training opportunities to ensure Tatton keeps continuing to thrive.” 

The figures are the first to be released since Ms McVey took over as Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions. UK unemployment fell by 3,000 to 1.44 million, the equivalent of 4.3 per cent, in the three months to November, making it the lowest rate since 1975. The rate of employment is 75.3 per cent, the highest since records began in 1971.

Ms McVey added: “We have a record number of job vacancies in the UK meaning jobs are available for people who are looking. No one should be better off on benefits and that is why this Government has changed the benefit system to make work pay.

“This Conservative Government is supporting people into work, cutting taxes on business and investing in skills. We will make sure we continue to focus on the economy to create better higher-paying jobs people need.  Labour’s reckless and ill-thought-out policies would put this at risk.” 

There are an additional 3 million people in work since 2010 and the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits in Tatton has fallen by 625 in the same time period.