West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has today welcomed the latest independent figures showing that employment across the county is at record high levels. The Office of National Statistics today confirmed that 585 people are claiming unemployment benefit in West Worcestershire – that’s 1.4 per cent of those people who are economically active, compared to the national average of three per cent. The independent statistics show that there are 115 claimants aged 18 to 24 in November 2018, with youth unemployment 15 lower than in November 2017. The figures come as local people move onto Universal Credit - the new single benefit payment which rolls six different benefits into one payment and is paid monthly to reflect how many people in employment are paid. It is a better, simpler system that helps people into work and makes sure work always pays – people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than they were under the old system. Harriett commented: “Locally, full-time employment statistics are strong and from my recent chats with the Job Centre team, there are plenty of vacancies. “I am confident that the Job Centre is doing all it can to help every person who is out of work, and wants a job, to get one and enjoy the security of a regular pay packet. “We are helping people into work by reforming welfare so work always pays, while backing businesses to create more, better paying jobs across the whole country through our modern Industrial Strategy. “Since 2010, we have helped over 3.4 million more people into work and reduced the number of people who are unemployed by over 1.1 million – meaning more people have the security of a job and are able to provide for their families.”