NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has welcomed new figures showing the number of people in North Wiltshire claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while not in employment fell by 722 - a 63 per cent drop since 2010.

He said across the South West there were 163,000 more people in work since the last Labour Government while across the UK there were two million more people at work than at the same time.

"It’s great news that over the last five years the number people of people relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit while out of work here in North Wiltshire has fallen by 722,” said Mr Gray.

“That means more families with the security and stability of a regular pay packet. And in a further boost for families financial security we’ve also seen the highest real wage rises in seven years over the last year.

“This is down to the hard work and the determination of people here, as well as the Conservatives’ strong leadership and clear economic plan.

"As a Government for working people we’re committed to go further, as we work towards a Britain of full employment, which offers working people security at every stage of their life.”