WEAVER Vale MP Graham Evans has welcomed the latest unemployment figures which show that jobless figures have dropped to 4.1 per cent.

His constituency which includes Runcorn, now has the lowest unemployment rate and lowest youth unemployment rate since he was elected in May 2010.

Mr Evans said: "Across Weaver Vale there were 1,803 job seeker allowance claimants in October 2013 compared to 2,091 in May 2010. That is a 4.1% rate compared to the north west average of 4.6% and the national average of 4.0%.

“This follows the regional trend which shows that across the North West the number of people in work has increased by 8,000 since 2010.

"Youth unemployment has also dropped to 7.3% from 9.7% in October 2012 and from 8.6% in May 2010.

"The consistent improvements in employment figures over the past 10 months suggest the UK economy is improving and making an impact on the lives of people in Weaver Vale.

“I am proud that steps in my constituency, such as running two jobs fairs with planning underway for a third, and apprenticeship schemes can demonstrate the opportunities that are out there."