Taunton Deane MP, Rebecca Pow has welcomed today’s figures showing that unemployment has dropped to its lowest national rate since 2005, with 2.5 million more people across the United Kingdom back in work having the security of a regular pay packet than in 2010. Today there are 201,000 more people in work across the South West and in Taunton Deane the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit has fallen by 730 – a 48 per cent drop – since 2010. The figures also show that wages are continuing to grow, with average total pay up 2.3 per cent while annual inflation remains close to flat, and that the jobs growth is being fuelled by full-time work. With the level of unemployed at the lowest level in a decade and the proportion of 16-24 year olds who have left full-time education and are unemployed has never been lower, the figures show that the number of people in work remains at record levels. Commenting, Rebecca said: ‘I am proud that today’s figures show the number of people in Taunton Deane relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit has fallen 48% since 2010. ‘Our long-term plan is delivering more security, transforming life chances and providing opportunities that give families in Taunton Deane the best chance to get on in life. Each new job means that worker and their family have the security of a pay packet. ‘With Britain facing a dangerous cocktail of risks, it’s more important than ever to stick with the Government’s plan to fix our finances, as we deliver on our manifesto commitments and deliver security for families in Taunton Deane.’