EMPLOYMENT is now at a new high according to figures released by the government today and staff at Swindon's Job Centre Plus say the future is looking positive.

Another 113 people are now in work in Swindon compared with three months ago adding to the record 31.4 million people now in employment overall in the UK

Two new businesses are due to create more work in Swindon with 28 vacancies soon to become available at a new company Flannels and a new Co-op at St Andrews Ridge will have 20 vacancies.

"There is also lots of care work being advertised for the Rose Cottage Nursing Home," said Julie Marshall, Swindon's Job Centre Plus work coach.

"And there are still lots of vacancies at Honda."

She added: "The UK now has the highest ever employment rate of 74 percent and in the past year the number of people in work has risen by 588,000 bringing employment to a new high."

Julie runs group information sessions at Job Centre Plus to match people's skill sets and build confidence in people who have been out of work for some time.

The latest data released by the Office for National Statistics today shows that unemployment in the South West fell by 7,000 people, and the jobless rate in the region is one of the lowest levels in the country.

The figures, covering the three months ending November, found that:

• South West unemployment has decreased by 0.2% and stands at 3.8%.

• Nationally, unemployment rate fell to 5.1%, a 10 year low.

• However, youth unemployment remains high at 13.7%, over twice as high as total unemployment.

Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, said: “The labour market remains a source of strength for our economy, and the latest figures provide another boost for the South West after our local business survey found that the region ended 2015 on a high.

“National unemployment has fallen to a ten year low, and our region is spearheading this drive with one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the country. But there are still challenges ahead.

“Low unemployment will bring its own pressures, with a tight labour market and skills shortages in some sectors, such as IT and engineering, making it difficult for business to take new people on at affordable rates.

“Long term planning is needed from government, education providers and business to ensure that these pressures don’t hold us back.”