Unemployment continues to drop faster than national average in Milton Keynes

Emma Duthie is celebrating the fact that the city's unemployment figures have dropped satisfyingly over the past year.

At the latest count, there are 581 young people (18 to 24-year-olds) in MK claiming benefits, and 4,788 people aged 25 and over.

The figures are based on benefit claims rather than unemployment, so some of these, may have part time or low paid jobs and be claiming top up benefits.

"They are good statistics," said Emma. "Over the past year there has been a 25 per cent reduction in younger claimants and an 11 per cent drop in older ones. "

Both decreases are double that of the UK average, meaning Milton Keynes continues to buck the national trend in unemployment.

"We are lucky in MK. We have a massive hospitality industry and excellent banking and finance industries, for example," said Emma.

But the two areas that simply cannot recruit enough workers are construction and care, she said.

"People who want to join the care industry will never, ever be jobless in Milton Keynes. But it is not necessarily an easy job, The pay is not great and many care workers are expected to provide and use their own car for work."

Construction jobs, on the other hand, are almost as plentiful and much better paid.

"There is a shortage for scaffolders, for example, and they can earn £40K a year," said Emma.

You can see the current jobs on offer through the Milton Keynes Jobcentre here.